On Tuesday 15^th July, the first Rutland Sub-Branch Meeting took place. It was held at The Crown in Uppingham, attended by a dozen or so members, including representatives from Leicester and Melton Mowbray Branches of CAMRA.

The Committee were confirmed Graham Proud as Chairman, Alan Pickersgil as Secretary and Lisa James as Treasurer.  Members were asked to consider joining the Committee at a later date. Two further meetings were arranged and a Survey Trip will take place around Rutland with Leicester Branch in September.

The Committee are also in touch with Peterborough, Melton Mowbray  Branches, who have also been very helpful in getting them up and running.

K Williams

Picture Caption

Left To Right – Alan Pickersgill, Graham Proud and Lisa James.

Awards Night, The Grainstore, Oakham

On 16th July 2008, we set off by train to The Grainstore, Oakham to meet 3 brewers to present them with Harry Cragg Beer Of The Festival 2008 awards. After a while, sampling the Grainstore Beers, we set about giving out our prestigious awards. The first was given to Martin Allsop of Barrowden Brewery. It is situated to the rear of The Exeter Arms in Barrowden. Formerly Blencowe Brewing until Martin bought the business 3 years ago. He won First Place in the Bitter Category with his "Own Gear". This was Martin’s first award and he thanked Leicester CAMRA for their support and was pleased that the people of Leicester appreciate his beers.

Nigel Wright has been brewing Hopshackle beers in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire since 2006. He won the third place award in the Stout and Porter Category with "Historic Porter". Nigel was also pleased to receive recognition for his beer and also thanked Leicester CAMRA. This was his first ever award too.

L-R Nigel Wright and Martin Allsopp.

K. Williams

'Probably the worst decision in the World for real ale drinkers'

CAMRA has attacked the decision by Carlsberg UK to close the iconic Tetley Brewery in Leeds by 2011. CAMRA has criticised Calsberg UK for failing to promote the famous Tetley beers at a time when consumer interest in real ales is growing. 

Bob Stukins, CAMRA Vice Chairman and Director of Brewery Campaigning said, "It is unclear where Carlsberg UK intends to brew the famous Tetley beers which remain household names in the UK. Brewed outside their Leeds heartland I fear they would lack the provenance which today's discerning consumers expect. While we recognise the enormous challenges facing the brewing industry at present, I think this is a shortsighted decision. Recent statistics clearly show that real ale is performing better than other beer styles in a declining market. There is an opportunity to respond to this, invest in the Tetley brands and bring them back to glory."

The Intelligent Choice report published in September by CAMRA, Cask Marque, SIBA, the IFBB and Why Handpull shows that real ale sales are moving towards growth while the overall beer market has declined by 8% in the year to May 2008*.  

CAMRA is calling on the Government to overturn its decision to increase beer duty over the next four years to give struggling breweries a chance to compete. The group claims that high beer tax is driving beer drinkers out of pubs and into their armchairs as the price gap between the on and off-trade widens. 

Bob Stukins said, "The Government has a responsibility to act to save British jobs in brewing and pubs and an urgent review of beer tax is required." CAMRA is seeking a meeting with Carlsberg UK bosses to discuss a way forward for the brewery. The brewery still has its unique open square fermenters and brews various real ales including Tetley's Dark Mild, Tetley's Mild, Ansells, Best Bitter, Burton Ale and the famous Tetley Bitter. 

Mr Stukins added, "We have a two year window of opportunity before the brewery gates are set to close for the last time. We will be supporting anyone who has a plan to keep the mash tuns running in this historic brewery and we'll be looking at every possible option to save the brewery. Jobs and this iconic Yorkshire Brewery should not close due to the development potential of this city site"

Source: CAMRA Press release 5 Nov 2008

CAMRA Real Ale in a Bottle Retailer Awards 2008 

CAMRA has commended retailers great and small in their unfailing support for stocking real ale in a bottle, and is to awarded three bottled beer retailers on Saturday October 11^th at its annual awards lunch at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London.

As part of its RAIB (Real Ale in a Bottle) Scheme, CAMRA welcomed entrants from all sectors of the retail industry in the hope of locating the forerunning stockists of bottle-conditioned real ale, as well as inviting those who have gone to considerable lengths to increase its profile within the industry. Entrants were judged on their range of products, their unique sales methods, value for money to the consumer, and the attitude of their staff in striving to promote bottle-conditioned real ale.

After a May deadline for Awards entrants, a team of dedicated CAMRA judges have been busy surveying the applications, the team was impressed by the high standards and attention to detail of many retailers.

The winners of the three categories were-

• Large Retailer (more than 5 outlets)- Booths Supermarkets
• Small Retailer (less than 5 outlets)- The Offie, Leicester
• Mail Order/Online Retailer- The Real Ale Shop

Brett Laniosh, CAMRA’s Promotions and Marketing Director, said- ‘It was great to view the lengths many outlets are going to in order to promote Britain ’s national drink. Whether it was through friendly customer service or an imaginative marketing scheme, every entrant showed a laudable amount of creativity and attention to detail.

Large Retailer: Booths, a small supermarket chain of twenty-six stores across four counties, was described by the judging committee as "the epitome of what a multi site retailer should be doing to promote real ale. A good range of real ales even in the smaller outlets. They even use local radio to promote beer tastings."

Small Retailer: The Offie, a Leicester based, multi-award winning outlet and advisor to the national media, was singled out for its unparalleled commitment to stocking rare brews. Judges reported how "The Offie may be small, but in terms of real ales offered, it is second to none. A wonderful grotto of bottled real ales featuring beers from all over the UK and beyond. The staff are welcoming and keen to offer advice and discuss the bottled real ale."

Finally, The Real Ale Shop, an extension of the Priory Farm in Wrentham, Suffolk , was hailed for its devotion to local produce, and its excellent mail order service. Judges praised the Shop for having a “great website that gets straight to the beer. It (the Shop) does a great job in promoting localism through its trailblazer beers featuring bottled real ales from Norfolk and Suffolk ."

Brett Laniosh continues- ‘Stocking bottle-conditioned real ale is something that truly appeals to the consumer. Research has shown how many people desire locally-sourced produce brewed using traditional methods, therefore we at CAMRA are delighted to recognize retailers who stock this sort of quality in their outlets.’

Muree from The Offie was absolutely delighted to be recognized for his efforts to supply choice and quality to his customers. He can also be seen at his stall at Leicester Beer Festival

One in Eight Pubs Set to Close By 2012

CAMRA Calls for Support for Pubs in Pre Budget Report

CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale has today claimed that a tidal wave of beer tax hikes, unfair supermarket competition and the economic downturn threatens to close up to 7,500 pubs by the end of 2012.

To prevent thousands of well run community pubs being lost forever CAMRA has written to the Chancellor, in advance of the Pre Budget Report, to call for:

- a reduction in VAT in order to assist pubs.           

- an investigation into the feasibility of a reduced rate of tax on beer sold in pubs

- a minimum price per unit of alcohol to prevent alcohol being sold at a loss in the off trade

CAMRA Chief Executive, Mike Benner, said: ‘Action to support pubs in the Pre Budget report, next Monday, is essential in order to prevent a bloodbath of pub closures following the traditionally busy Christmas trading period. This year’s increase in beer tax has forced publicans to increase beer prices, making visiting the pub less affordable for hard pressed consumers. To ensure pub going remains affordable the Government must commit to a freeze on beer tax while they consider a reduced rate of tax on beer sold in pubs.’ 

‘Well-run community pubs help reduce alcohol related disorder and binge drinking by providing a safe, controlled and supervised environment for people to have fun and enjoy a drink. Pubs play a vital role in community life and provide a much valued sociable leisure activity for millions.’

‘Despite overwhelming political and media concern supermarkets continue to push below cost alcohol deals. Current promotions include 18 bottles of premium lager being sold for £6.99 and 45 cans of lager for £18. These deals are utterly irresponsible and are ripping the heart out of community life by closing pubs. The Government must act now to end irresponsible alcohol price promotions that are encouraging alcohol misuse, undermining communities, ruining livelihoods and damaging peoples’ social lives.’

CAMRA Press Release 21 Nov 08

Source. The Publican 4 Dec 08