News

The Campaign for Real Ale's annual conference called for action against giant pubcos to be stepped up and criticised the slowness of Business Secretary Vince Cable to publish his proposals that will tackle the tactics of Enterprise and Punch. National chairman Colin Valentine (pictured) stressed the importance of the scrapping of the beer duty escalator and two cuts in duty.

Added: Monday, April 28th 2014

Hogs Back Brewery near Farnham in Surrey is planting its own hop field, restoring the old country link between brewing and hop growing. The main variety will be Farnham White Bine, the predecessor of the Kent Golding. An English version of Cascade will also be grown. The picture shows Hogs Back managing director Rupert Thompson in green with Bill Biddell of Hampton Estates, which grows Fuggles for the brewery, with members of the Hogs Back team

Added: Monday, April 21st 2014

Brewery veteran Dick Burge has put his mashing boots back on to rescue the ailing Growler Brewery in Essex. The former Nethergate Brewery had gone into administration but Burge has stepped in to re-open it and may revert to its original name

Added: Wednesday, April 16th 2014

Phil Evans was a radical artist who drew hard-hitting cartoons for Socialist Worker but later worked with Roger Protz on three books about beer and pubs and also did sketches for the Good Beer Guide. He has died aged 68

Added: Wednesday, April 16th 2014

Beer drinkers can be attracted to certain brands if they like the colours of the labels. An experiment at the Edinburgh Science Festival with Barney's Beer, a local micro-brewery, found that tasters preferred one of two beers from Barney's -- even though the beer in both bottles was identical. The tasters even identified different malt and hop notes in the beer they preferred. Pictured: Andrew Barnett of Barney's Brewery.

Added: Saturday, April 12th 2014

Denis Cox, the voice of Budweiser Budvar in Britain, was feted at the Czech brewery for his years of dedicated work for the Budvar cause. He was given a special beer mug and key to his own box in the 'Brewery Chapel', where supporters of the brewery are thanked for their help in keeping Budavr free from takeover. Denis is seen (left) at the brewery with Roger Protz, the only other Brit to have a box in the chapel

Added: Thursday, April 3rd 2014

Groups representing publicans and consumers have written to Business Secretary Vince Cable urging to press ahead with pub company reform, including a market rent that will give licensees a decent income and stop them losing their jobs

Added: Wednesday, April 2nd 2014

More than 50 British pubs are now owned by their communities, research by CAMRA reveals to mark the start of April's Community Pubs month. Many more have been listed as Assets of Community Value to stop pub companies asset stripping them. One example of a community owned pub is the Norton in the Essex village of Cold Norton, with licensee Debbie Guppy pictured behind the bar

Added: Monday, March 31st 2014

Highland Brewery on Orkney has won one of the top Gold awards from the Society of Independent Brewers -- SIBA -- for its Island Hopping pale beer. The brewery's Rob Hill (left) is seen receiving his award from SIBA chairman Guy Sheppard. The brewery's success follows hard on the heels of an award for its Porter at CAMRA's National Winter Ales Festival in February

Added: Sunday, March 30th 2014

A major feature in the Guardian on the importance of the English Midlands failed to mention Burton-on-Trent and its key role in brewing. A letter from Roger Protz (29 March) has put the record straight. Pictured: Bruce Wilkinson and Geoff Mumford at Burton Bridge Brewery who have helped restore the town's brewing pride

Added: Saturday, March 29th 2014