News
CAMRA Launches ‘A Beer a Day' Book (released Saturday, 9th August 2008)
Saturday, 9th August 2008
“Few industries to do more to preserve our heritage, honour our illustrious forebears and foster a sense of community than the brewing industry” (A Beer a Day author, Jeff Evans)
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is launching A Beer a Day by offering both real ale aficionados and novices an opportunity to complement every day with an expert beer recommendation. The book will be on sale for the first time at the Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, on Thursday August 7th.
Not content with the simple association of light-coloured beer in summer and dark-coloured in winter, CAMRA, through A Beer a Day, is hoping to show consumers that drinking beer has significance for us all. Whether this is through cultural change, historic figures, or national landmarks, the publication offers an informative, light-hearted approach when commemorating the diverse and somewhat unusual events in world affairs.
Looking for once behind the beer pump clips and labels, A Beer a Day is arranged in calendar format, with a major event, season, or other commemoration featured on each day, together with an appropriate beer for the occasion.
Author Jeff Evans says ‘A Beer a Day is not just a catalogue of great beers: it is a celebration of high days, holidays and the otherwise gentle passing of the seasons as seen through the eyes of world's greatest brewers. Major anniversaries, religious feasts and important birthdays come under the spotlight, along with commemorations, carnivals and some even more eccentric events.'
'This book has been great fun to research. It's amazing how the brewing industry keeps alive traditions and customs, and rightly celebrates famous and not-so-famous people who have been great achievers. You could say that there's almost a story for every beer and a beer for every story, and being able to look behind the label adds so much extra enjoyment to already great beers.'
The launch date for A Beer a Day is the 7th August, and in association with the release, author Jeff Evans will be holding an exclusive tasting session at the Great British Beer Festival (August 5th-9th 2008), commencing at 6pm.
The majority of the beers featured in the book are attainable from supermarkets, off-licences, online stores, and straight from the cask at selected pubs throughout the UK. The more elusive brews reflect the theme of the book- to encourage the wider distribution of fine beers.
The book will be available to purchase at the Great British Beer Festival, as well as from all good book stores. The book can be bought directly from the CAMRA website at www.camra.org.uk, priced at £14.99 for CAMRA members, and £16.99 for non-members.
Famous Liverpool Brewer's ‘last stand' at the Great British Beer Festival (released Saturday, 9th August 2008)
Saturday, 9th August 2008
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has responded to the news that Cains Beer Company has been placed in administration with a pledge to support a buyer who will keep the historic Liverpool brewery in production.
The brewer has a stand at the Great British Beer Festival, where its beers, including IPA, Raisin Beer and 2008 Culture Beer, brewed to celebrate Liverpool as the European City of Culture, are proving popular with Festival visitors.
Mike Benner, Chief Executive, said, “Beer drinkers in Liverpool should not lose out because of the credit crunch and we will support any company that puts forward a rescue plan for the ailing brewer to ensure great beer continues to be brewed at the Stanhope Street Brewery. We hope that the Cains stand at the Great British Beer Festival won't be the ‘last stand' for Cains' beers.”
Pub-Goers Blame Government as Beer Prices Surge - Prices Could Reach £5 a Pint f (released Saturday, 9th August 2008)
Saturday, 9th August 2008
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, today released figures showing that pub beer prices have surged following the budget. The average pub price of a pint of real ale has increased by 12 pence and the average price of a pint of lager has increased by 14 pence. These increases have taken place over a four month period and stem from a 10% increase in beer tax in March's budget. New research also released today shows that 62% of pub goers blame the Government for high pub beer prices.
Fierce price competition from supermarkets and falling beer sales have limited the ability of licensees to fully pass on cost increases to consumers. However, as licensees come under increasing financial pressure many will soon be forced to pass on, in full, increased tax, increased wholesale prices and increased operating costs to the consumer. CAMRA fears that pub beer price inflation this year could exceed 10%. Unless plans for swingeing increases in beer tax over the next four years are reversed many thousands of community pubs will close and average pub beer prices in London and the South East will be over £4 and in some pubs over £5 for the 2012 London Olympics.
On the opening day of the Great British Beer Festival, Tuesday 5th August, CAMRA will stage a protest against high beer tax at 11am. This key photo opportunity will see protestors wearing Alistair Darling face-masks, “fair deal on beer tax” t shirts and carrying placards. Over 65,000 visitors, including 5,000 licensees and brewers, to the Great British Beer Festival will also be asked to send their MP a postcard protesting at high beer tax. In the run up to the Festival over 1,700 people have joined a Facebook group, “Fair Deal on BeerTax”, to support calls for lower excise duty on beer.
CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner said:
“This year's devastating increase in beer tax has forced publicans to increase prices and pub-goers are right to lay the blame at the door of the Government. High beer taxes threaten to prevent many low and moderate earners enjoying a regular pint at their local pub. We desperately urge the Chancellor to think again before he goes down in history as the Chancellor who closed thousands of community pubs; damaged community life and prevented many millions of pub-goers from enjoying a regular trip to the pub.”
This is not something the British people want; as research released today reveals that 65% of British people view the public house as an integral part of British life. The poll also showed that 69% of all adults think well-run community pubs are the best places to enjoy alcohol.
Benner continues: “Public houses offer a safe, controlled and supervised environment for people to relax with a drink. The Chancellor has failed to recognise that well-run community pubs are the solution to Britain's binge drinking problems. Ever increasing beer tax will do nothing to stop binge drinking, as it will simply lead to a continuing shift in consumption away from well-run community pubs to drinking at home, on the streets and in public parks.”
Launch of "Ales & Tales" Edition 5 (released Monday, 4th August 2008)
Monday, 4th August 2008
04/08/08 - Launch night for the Joint Stourbridge/Halesowen & Dudley/South Staffs, Ales & Tales 5 @ The Beacon Hotel, Sedgley
West Midlands Pub of the Year 2008 (released Monday, 4th August 2008)
Monday, 4th August 2008
CAMRA are pleased to announce there “West Midlands Pub of the Year”, this year won by the Beacon Hotel, Sedgley. The Presentation is on the 04/08/08 at 20:00, all Welcome
