News

Business Secretary Vince Cable came under strong criticism in the House of Commons for his slowness in bringing forward plans to reform the giant pub companies. He was speaking during a Labour debate on the need to bring in a statutory code of practice for pubcos. Before the debate, CAMRA's Chief Executive Mike Benner (pictured) said on TV that pubs were closing as a result of high rents and lack of beer choice

Added: Wednesday, January 22nd 2014

Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria, founded by Alex Brodie (pictured) has launched a new range of bottled beers, including an American-style IPA, a dry stout and a powerful export ale that has been aged in American Bourbon casks named Jack and Jim -- guess the distilleries!

Added: Sunday, January 19th 2014

Harbour Brewing in Bodmin, Cornwall, has won a major listing for its IPA with Sainsbury's supermarkets on the back of the brewery's success in the Great British Beer Hunt

Added: Monday, January 13th 2014

Budweiser Budvar has chalked up record export sales at a time when other Czech breweries are seeing a decline in sales. The state-owned brewery also won several significant court battles with its global rival AB InBev in the long-running trademark dispute

Added: Thursday, January 9th 2014

CAMRA has launched a campaign, complete with posters, to promote pubs in January -- a notoriously "dead month" for the trade. Poor customer visits could spell the end for more pubs, CAMRA,says, unless beer lovers rally to their support. And the consumer group is also calling for a freeze on beer duty in the 2014 budget

Added: Monday, January 6th 2014

Famous pub chain owner David Bruce -- of Firkin and Slug & Lettuce fame -- is back in business with a stake in the award-winning West Berkshire Brewery. The brewery is based close to the River Thames in Wind in the Willows territory and Bruce is seen on the left with founder David Maggs in suitable Toad and Ratty outfits

Added: Tuesday, December 31st 2013

Giant pub company Punch Taverns has pocketed £3.7 million from the sale of two North London pubs. Both the Star near Lord's and the Old White Bear in Hampstead will become private houses, robbing locals of hubs of their communities.

Added: Wednesday, December 11th 2013

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of River Cottage fame has teamed up with Skinner's Brewery in Cornwall to launch EPA -- English Pale Ale -- that will be served with food at the group's restaurants and canteens. The beer is made with all English ingredients, including a UK version of the famous American hop, Cascade. Hugh is seen on the left with Steve Skinner, founder of the brewery

Added: Friday, December 6th 2013

The York Station Tap has won the coveted Conversion to Pub prize in CAMRA's annual pub awards. Other winners include Best Street Corner Local, a village pub saved from closure and a new concept in a marina pub and restaurant

Added: Friday, December 6th 2013

Will Hawkes, who writes for the Independent, was named the Michael Jackson Beer Writer of the Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers on 5 December. Roger Protz won a gold award for his writing on beer and pubs in the Publican's Morning Advertiser. Other winners included Birmingham-based writer Marverine Cole (left in picture)

Added: Friday, December 6th 2013