INSIDE THIS MONTH:

CAMRA podcast behind the scenes • New guide for historic pubsIndustry Insider: relationships key to survival • Magazines go online

AUGUST 2020 NEWSPAPER OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALEWHAT’S BREWING

EVENT PLANNER

AugustPUBS. PINTS. PEOPLE.EVERY Tuesday tune into a new CAMRA podcast – topics for August include: weird beers, micropubs, alcohol and brewery collaborations. To tune in, visit: shows.acast.com/pubspintspeople/

PUBS

DON’T MISS

CAMRA has released easy-to-follow online guides to help people use and support their pubs safely.

With many pubs facing a long road to recovery, CAMRA wants people to get back down their local, to protect them from permanent closure.

CAMRA has developed the advice into a pack of infographics (pictured) and a short animation for branches to use on websites, social media, magazines and in commu-nications to members.

It includes information

on who you can go to the pub with whether you are sitting inside or out, social distancing and ordering food and drink.

The advice can be found on CAMRA’s website in the Pulling Together section.

BY TIM HAMPSON

CAMRA’s Cheers for Choice campaign calls on pub companies to allow every pub to sell beer and cider from small, local and independent brewers and cider producers to help them recover post-lockdown.

Current beer ties mean most pub tenants are restricted in what they can sell in their pubs and are often banned from putting on the products they know their customers want to drink.

The Campaign hopes pub compa-nies’ beer tie arrangements can be relaxed as pubs reopen following the coronavirus lockdown, so that all parts of the industry can pull together and support each other.

A recent survey of 21,000 beer drinkers and pub-goers carried out by CAMRA found 68 per cent of

people are less likely to go to a pub if it isn’t selling local and independent beer and cider.

CAMRA national director Ben Wilkinson said: “Relaxing restric-tions for tied pub tenants is the right thing for pub companies to do – making sure all parts of the industry, no matter how small, are supported in the recovery from Covid-19 and

are able to thrive in the weeks and months ahead.

“Allowing small and independent brewers and cider producers to sell into all pubs will also improve consumer choice and allow pub-goers to support local brewing businesses hit by recent events.

“It also makes business sense, with 68 per cent of pub-goers saying they would be less likely to go back to a pub if it doesn’t have a range of brews from small and independent producers.”

In Scotland, the Tied Pubs Bill to be published later in the year gives pubs a legal right to serve guest beers from local and independent breweries.l MORE than 7,000 people have signed CAMRA’s petition to pub company bosses urging them to allow licensees to stock local brews.

CAMRA is calling for greater support for pubs and bars left behind by the chancellor’s financial statement.

The Campaign’s chief executive Tom Stainer (right) said forced closure of pubs has shown how important they are to communities and the need for continued financial support from the government.

Tom said: “While a six-month cut in VAT for food served in pubs and the Eat Out to Help Out voucher scheme in August is welcomed, we are concerned pubs have been left behind by the chancellor’s statement, which contained little support for community pubs.

“It is also disappointing to see no direct support for independent

brewers and producers, which will not benefit from a VAT cut that specifi-

cally excludes beer and cider. CAMRA will continue to campaign for greater support for all pubs – including those that don’t serve food. We are calling for long-term support measures – business rate reform and a tax reduc-tion for draught beer – to encourage people back to the supervised setting of the community pub.

“Lockdown has shown just how valuable our pubs are to local commu-nities and the pivotal role they play in tackling loneliness.

“It is absolutely right that they receive extra support during the difficult months ahead to ensure their continued survival.”l See p2 for more on the financial statement.

EAT, drink but stay wary. CAMRA has welcomed the government’s announce-ment of some pubs in England reopening as a welcome first step on the long road to recovery.

The government will also adopt the World Health Organisation (WHO) recom-mended one-metre social distancing guideline used in many countries, along with other mitigation measures in place.

Pubs will also be expected to collect contact

details of customers to support its contact and trace regime.

CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer said: “Getting down to the pub for a pint with friends and family has been one of the things people have missed the most during lockdown, so it is fantastic news that people in England can start returning to their locals.

“Understandably, this comes with a responsi-bility to do so safely and responsibly in line with the

government’s guidance. CAMRA is urging all pub-goers to follow the rules so that they can keep them-selves, other customers, and bar staff safe.

“On recording customer details to help testing and tracing, this seems to be above and beyond what is being asked of other types of businesses.

“The government needs to make sure that this doesn’t disadvantage pubs and that the privacy of pub-goers is properly protected.

“Not being able to go to our local has made us realise just how important pubs are to communities, and in tackling social isolation.

“That is why we need a second wave of financial support to ensure that all pubs – both those operating at reduced trade and those that cannot open safely under social distancing – can survive the next few weeks and thrive in the weeks and months ahead.”

NEW ONLINE GUIDANCEBid to get pubco beer ties relaxed to boost recovery

CAMRA URGES PUB-GOERS TO FOLLOW RULES

GAPS IN FINANCIAL STATEMENT MUST BE FILLED

2 NEWS & COMMENT WHAT’S BREWING AUGUST 2020

PULLING TOGETHER IS ESSENTIAL

EDITORIAL COMMENT BREWING

Bid to get Marston’s merger investigatedBY WB REPORTER

CAMRA has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to take the lead and investigate the proposed merger between Carlsberg and Marston’s which could reduce beer choice.

The Campaign is calling on the CMA to prove its credentials in standing up for consumers and commit to triggering what is known as the Article 9 referral procedure. This would mean the UK competition body could lead an inves-tigation instead of the EU Commission, because the joint venture will mainly impact the UK beer and pub market.

CAMRA’s calculations show the UK beer and pub market is becoming less and less competitive with every new merger or acqui-sition of a smaller brewer

by a global brand. Global brewers currently have a 25.25 per cent share of UK pub companies, which, by CAMRA’s calculations will rise to nearly 32 per cent if the proposed joint venture is allowed to proceed without intervention.

CAMRA chief execu-tive Tom Stainer said: “Since the day it was announced, CAMRA has raised serious concerns about the proposed Carls-berg Marston’s Brewing Company and choice for beer drinkers, pub-goers and over the future of British beers, brands and breweries.

“We wrote to the CMA back in June and asked it to investigate. We were surprised to be told it wasn’t a matter for it, and we should talk to the EU Commission instead.

“We don’t understand why the CMA does not

seem interested in investi-gating something that will clearly have an impact on choice of beer on the bar in pubs.

“The Competition and Markets Authority exists to promote competi-tion for the benefit of consumers, therefore it is disappointing that it is seemingly disinterested in investigating something that will have potentially anti-competitive effects on the UK beer and pub market.

“It is vital that the CMA steps up to the plate, thoroughly inves-tigates the proposed joint venture between Marston’s and Carls-berg, and helps to ensure there is fair competi-tion, access to market for brewers, and decent consumer choice when it comes to beer and pubs up and down the country.”

BEER lovers have been beating the lockdown blues by ordering beer, cider and perry worth more than £50,000 through the Campaign’s beer delivery app Brew2You.

And the app is to continue for people not ready to go back to the pub.

CAMRA national chairman, Nik Antona said: “It’s fantastic Brew2You has helped generate more than £50,000 for the beer and pubs industry in just over a month.”

He said pubs and breweries need all the help they can get, and he urged people to buy direct during this period of uncertainty.

“Many brewers have hailed the app as a lifeline during lockdown, offering a new route to market,” said Nik.

Brew2You is a not-for-profit initiative and pubs and brewers can use the app free of charge (aside from a set £2/month Stripe user fee for payment processing).

BUSINESS groups are calling for continued support for pubs left behind by the chancel-lor’s financial statement.

SIBA chief executive James Calder said he was disappointed beer was excluded from the VAT cut and the eating out scheme.

SIBA raised concerns that the Treasury had postponed its review into how beer duty tax breaks for small brewers are applied.

Calder said: “The Treasury has confirmed the long-awaited announcements on Small Breweries Relief reform and the wider review of alcohol duties have been delayed again. Given the Covid earthquake that has hit the brewing industry we need a tax system that does what the chancellor set out to do for the whole economy: to protect

jobs and to enable us to bounce back.”UKHospitality chief executive Kate

Nicholls said the dialogue on financial support must continue for pubs and other wet-led businesses that remain closed and excluded from the latest financial package.

She said the VAT cut was a “huge lifeline” for some, but was fearful for the future of many of the UK’s wet-led and community local pubs, night-time economy businesses, music venues and nightclubs, which remain closed and unable to trade.

The British Beer and Pub Association said pubs need to be thriving and not just surviving. It called for a significant cut to beer duty to bring the UK in line with other European countries.

PUB giant Wetherspoon’s move to reduce prices on meals and drinks following the government’s decision to cut VAT on food, coffee and soft drinks has run into criticism from consumers and brewers.

The chain, which has more than 850 pubs, has produced posters praising chancellor Rishi Sunak after the decision to reduce VAT from 20 to 5 per cent.

In a joint satement on the pubco’s promotional advertising, CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer and Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA) chief excutive James Calder said the poster has made it necessary for us to clarify the temporary VAT reduction only applies to

food served in pubs, and excludes alcoholic drink sales which many tradi-tional local pubs rely on for survival.

“Like all pubs, Weth-erspoon will not be able to benefit from a VAT reduction on beer sales and it is disappointing to

see it potentially mislead customers into believing cheaper beer prices are as a direct result of the chancellor’s measures.

“It’s likely Wetherspoon can only offer these prices if it subsidises beer from increased profit on other revenue streams. Sadly, this is a strategy many independent, wet-led pubs do not have open to them.

“We’d hope consumers do not believe CAMRA or SIBA have endorsed this marketing approach, which we believe is unhelpful for the pub industry and masks the truth that this VAT reduction will not directly result in cheaper beer and does little to help a large proportion of Britain’s pubs and brewers.”

NO STOPPING BREW2YOU

PUBS

‘UNHELPFUL’ MARKETING CLARIFIED

HELP NEEDED FOR WET-LED PUBS

PUBS are open again, but not as we knew them.For the last few months, my modest veranda has been

transformed into a beer garden. On sunny days it was the perfect place to enjoy beers bought using CAMRA’s Brew2You app. But my patio is not a pub and how I yearned to get back to one and enjoy a freshly poured pint of well-kept real ale. My first pub beer on 4 July was no disappointment.

But it was different – all the tables inside had to be booked, social distancing meant there was plenty space and drinks were ordered and paid for using an app.

The closure of pubs back in March was swift and their reopening has been understandably slow. It will probably be many months before they achieve a level of turnover and number of customers similar to pre-Covid-19 days.

Pubs need our help, which is why the Campaign is warning the Covid-19 world could be an unprecedented blow for pubs, which many might not recover from. Some community pubs and micropubs won’t be able to reopen at all with the current restrictions.

The louder our voice collectively and individually the more effective campaigning will be. The chancellor’s financial statement offered some help to pubs but many have been left behind. The reality is the smaller, community pubs which rely on selling beer from smaller brewers will probably suffer the most.

A lower tax on draught beer would go some way to differentiating beers we drink at home from those we enjoy in pubs. As important is a call for pubcos to give real and meaningful support to their tenants and back them in their efforts to offer increased consumer choice.

By Pulling Together we can make a difference.

wb.camra.org.uk for latest news 3NEWS

INDUSTRY CHARITY

BY TIM HAMPSON

BEER festivals organised by CAMRA volunteers generate millions of pounds local communities, according to new research.

Northumbria Univer-sity’s Professor Ignazio Cabras studied the multi-million-pound contribu-tion that festivals (right) make to local economies.

His study of York festival found the four-day event attracts visitors from around the world and they spend around £720,000 at the venue alone and £1.2 million across the city.

Cabras says the study shows these festivals can be of huge benefit to the local economy, with very little investment from outside parties.

“These events take place across the UK and are run by volunteers, mostly from CAMRA branches.

“There is zero cost to the taxpayer and zero evidence of negative exter-nalities such as antisocial behaviour. In most cases all local authorities need to do is give organisers the permission to run them.”

Results from the study suggest non-local visitors spend the most money during their four-day stay, primarily due to the cost of accommodation and dining out. However, local visitors spent more within

festival premises, creating more custom for beer and brewery businesses oper-ating on site during the event.

CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer said: “The research demonstrates what a positive impact beer festivals have on the local economy. In particular, festivals help boost income for local hospitality and tourism businesses.

“Given that CAMRA

runs more than 200 beer festivals across the country, we can extrapo-late these findings to suggest they contribute many millions into local economies, as well as providing a valuable route to market for independent breweries. This is great news all round – for local councils, local pubs and consumer choice.

“We hope recogni-tion of the huge cultural and economic contribu-tion festivals make will encourage the government to work quickly to develop guidance to allow them to reopen safely, as soon as possible, and in consulta-tion with CAMRA and other organisations which organise them. When that happy day comes, we’d invite everyone to join us in raising a pint to Professor Cabras and his team.”

THE Long Live the Local social media campaign has been relaunched to encourage people to use pubs.

The campaign will remind pub-goers of the great beer, food, atmos-phere and community spirit they have missed during lockdown and highlight what pubs are doing to ensure their safety.

Ashley McCarthy, owner of Ye Olde Sun Inn, Colton in N Yorks said: “Pubs need to open. The lucky ones have survived the lockdown but now they need their customers back quickly.”

He said while on lockdown heΩ had made many changes to ensure customer safety.

One of the backers of the campaign, Greene King chief executive officer Nick Mackenzie said: “The safety of our customers and team is always our priority and against the backdrop of a slow recovery from Covid-19, we are investing to put in place all the necessary arrangements. Of course, customers will notice some differences when they return but it’s important that, alongside implementing the changes, we maintain the essence of the great British pub.”

THREE out of four people say the pandemic will have a negative impact on pubs on their high street.

Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) research shows even for those shops that do reopen, the high-street buzz is unlikely to return for some time, sparking renewed fears for our towns and city centres.

RSPH deputy chief executive officer Duncan Stephenson said: “New forecasts show the UK’s economy will be one of the worst hit of any advanced nation in 2020.

“High streets have been on a gradual decline in recent years, and in the past few months most retailers have reported huge losses.

“The coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the way we shop and the way we relate to our local area, and our research shows just how much of an obstacle this will be if we are to breathe new life into our high streets.”

WELSH brewer SA Brain has decided not to reopen its managed pubs in mid-July when hospitality businesses in the Wales will be allowed to trade in outdoor spaces. The Welsh government says pubs can fully reopen on 3 August.

The company said: “During lockdown we’ve been working hard to be ready to reopen our pubs, indoors and outdoors,

safely for the benefit of our team members and customers. We’re waiting to be given a date and guidelines for the full reopening of pubs from the Welsh government.

“We want our customers to be able to use all the facilities in our pubs and to receive a warm welcome back in safe surroundings. We won’t be able to do that by opening outdoors only.”

THE Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has given a posthumous lifetime achievement award to former St Austell brewing director Roger Ryman, for his services to the British brewing industry.

Ryman (right) is credited with turning St Austell brewery in Cornwall into a nationally recognised brand, as well as devel-oping Tribute and Proper Job beers.

SIBA chairman Ian Fozard said: “Brewers across the UK have been unanimous in their praise of Roger for his huge contribution to the British independent brewing industry over the last two decades. While Roger’s passing comes as a huge shock and is met with great sadness by the industry, I am very proud to be able to

announce that this year’s SIBA’s lifetime achievement award is posthumously awarded to Roger. We hope this small tribute to a great brewer will make clear the impact he had on his peers within the brewing family.”

St Austell chief execu-tive Kevin Georgel said Roger played a huge role in nurturing and developing young talent.

Roger Ryman died in May following a battle with cancer.

SHEPHERD Neame is giving £4,000 to the Kent NHS Community Heroes charity to celebrate the successful reopening of its online shop.

To mark the occasion, the Kent brewer pledged to make a £1 donation to the Kent NHS Community Heroes for every case of beer, wine or cider sold online until the end of June.

Chief executive Jona-than Neame said: “When we reopened our online shop back in April, it was important to us to do something to show our NHS workers just how much we appreciate their selfless, dedicated efforts to keep us safe.”

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson Jo Treharne said: “We would like to thank Shepherd Neame for this generous donation. Our NHS teams are facing the biggest challenge in a generation, and these funds will help us to support their health and wellbeing.”

Festivals deliver massive boost to local economies

MONEY FOR NHS HEROES

FEARS FOR HIGH STREET

PUBS

CAMPAIGN RESTARTED

BREWING

REOPENING DELAYED

POSTHUMOUS AWARD

4 NEWS & COMMENT WHAT’S BREWING AUGUST 2020

BREWINGBREWING

Paradise postponed

THIS is the time when I would be packing my bags for a week at London Olympia. The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) is the highlight of my working year and it’s hard to believe it has been snatched from us in 2020.

GBBF for me means the drama of judging the Champion Beer of Britain competition, the thrill of hearing the names of the winners and then giving a series of tutored beer talks.

Someone once asked me if I was nervous when I give one of my talks. Of course: when you’re confronted by 60 or 70 people, beer glasses to hand and waiting for your words of wisdom, you do feel a touch queasy until the first ale is appreciated and the first joke gets a laugh.

My involvement with the festival goes back to the early days at Alexandra Palace, the people’s playground in North London where television first saw the light of day.

GBBF was held at Ally Pally from 1977 until 1980 and my job was to run the press office and get media attention for the event.

I had previously worked at the London Evening Standard and, as the crowds came panting up the hill from the station, I phoned an old colleague on the paper and said: “Dick, you really should give this beer festival some coverage. There’ll 50,000 people here over the next few days.”

“Beer?” he replied. “Do you really think the readers of the Standard want to know about beer?”

Perhaps he didn’t go to pubs where you saw people happily drinking pints of beer and taking the opportunity to read his paper.

Lack of support from the snobs at the Standard didn’t stop the crowds piling in.

One year there were two brilliant jazz sessions, first with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and then the Ronnie Scott Orchestra.

Bill Ashton, the director of the youth orchestra, was a real ale fan and as they toured the country, he introduced the musicians to the beers of local breweries.

In 1977 they recorded an album called In CAMRA, with each track dedicated to a brewery. The stand-out track for me was an inspired reworking of a well-known Frank Sinatra/Nelson Riddle number that Bill called Young’s Makes Me Feel You So.

The most memorable Ally Pally festival in 1980 almost didn’t happen. I’d been on a visit to Burt’s brewery on the Isle of Wight and when I returned to the mainland, I saw a newspaper headline reporting that the palace had been destroyed by fire.

Undeterred, the CAMRA volunteers hired large marquees and set up shop in a deep dip in the grounds below the smoking ruins of the palace.

And then the rains came...The deluge lasted for days and the site became a quag-

mire. Duck boards were laid out, the festival started on time and the crowds obligingly rolled up.

We all wore wellingtons, which gave a new depth of meaning to the advice “fill your boots”.

In 1981 the festival moved to the Queen’s Hall in Leeds. The doors opened at 5pm on the first day and I saw two young men clamber down scaffolding on a building site over the road and head for the festival.

They looked in awe at the array of casks holding beers from all parts of the country, paused for a moment, then one said: “Let’s start with two pints of Tetley’s”.

Welcome to God’s Own County.One year in Leeds I showed the American beer writer

Charlie Papazian round the hall. He was impressed with the range of beers and the large numbers enjoying them.

He was so impressed that he returned home and started to lay plans for what became the Great American Beer Festival. Who says beer doesn’t travel?

Beer may not have got to Olympia this year but, fingers crossed, it will make the journey to London next year and we’ll enjoy some then.

Perhaps he didn’t go to pubs where you saw people drinking beer and reading his paper

The coronavirus pandemic has robbed us of this year’s Great British Beer Festival, the highlight of my working year and part of my life since the 1970s, so I’m looking forward to its 2021 return

Roger Protz tweets @RogerProtzBeer and also writes www.protzonbeer.co.uk

ROGER PROTZ WRITES

BY TIM HAMPSON

BREWING cask ale is back at the Shepherd Neame brewery in Faver-sham, Kent.

The family brewer remained operational throughout the lockdown period, focusing its efforts on producing bottled beer for the supermarkets and its online shop, but now cask is back.

The brewing team is working hard to supply the company’s pubs and is currently brewing three of its ales – Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Spitfire Amber Ale and Master Brew.

Shep’s head brewer Mike Unsworth (right)said the brewing team was excited to be brewing ale again.

“Our team have been hard at work resuming cask production. It is early days so we aren’t yet sure on volumes, but we have plenty of beer ready to go. It hopefully won’t be long until beer lovers are able to enjoy a pint of real ale in a pub,” said Unsworth.

The company has a phased reopening for its pubs. The company expects to open at least two-thirds (190) of its pubs before the end of July, according to chief execu-tive Jonathan Neame.

“In order to protect our customers and team members, we propose to reopen our managed estate on a phased basis

and expect to reopen at least two thirds of our pubs by the end of July,” said Neame.

He said customers could expect to see seated-table service only, single entrance and exit points at pubs, physical screens introduced between seating in some managed pubs and single-use recy-clable menus.

What’s more, customers will no longer be able to prop up the bar and will instead be asked to pre-book tables, check menus in advance, pay by card

and use sanitisation points.

In addition, staff will have their temperature checked by infrared ther-mometer before every shift, while new safety signage – including floor stickers to indicate social distancing requirements – will be introduced at all pubs to reassure and inform.

Shepherd Neame also confirmed it will provide 3,000 locally sourced, washable, face masks for team members across its managed estate.

Sheps restarts cask brewing for its pubs

BLACK Sheep brewery has restarted production of cask beer in Masham, following a near three-month Covid-19 closure.

The North Yorkshire brewery restarted its cask ale production with 100 barrels of Black Sheep Best Bitter.

The beer, which takes approximately 10 days to brew, will be the first of many casks being produced at the brewery as it looks to support the reopening of many food-and-drink establishments across the country.

While pubs have been closed and cask brewing operations paused, Black Sheep has focused its activity on supporting the local community with beer and food deliveries along with online sales, which have seen a 2,000 percent increase since 21 March, compared to the same time last year.

Following the lifting of lockdown restric-tions, the Black Sheep visitor centre shop has also reopened.

Black Sheep chief executive Charlene Lyons said: “I’m pleased to say that we are back in production, starting with one of our most-loved beers.

“Following strict social distancing and hygiene measures, the team is back on the

floor and the first cask has been fired up, and we’re gearing up stocks to serve pubs across Yorkshire and further afield.”

Black Sheep has announced the appoint-ment of Dan Scott Paul (pictured) as its new head brewer.

Scott Paul, who first joined Black Sheep in 1998, has held the role of interim head brewer since January.

BLACK SHEEP BACK WITH THE BEST

wb.camra.org.uk for latest news 5NEWS

PUBS

CAMRA has released new content on its Learn & Discover platform to help members improve their beer and cider vocabularies

A new addition to the talking about cider series, An Enthusiast’s Guide to Cider Terminology has been written by James Finch (AKA the Cider Critic). Finch has put together this guide to some of the more complex terms and descriptors to help members unlock a more informed cider and perry drinking experience.

The second part of a beer-drinkers’ dictionary has been created by award-winning writer and brewing expert for Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch Mark Dredge. His dictionary is the first in a series of resources exploring words, acronyms and references used to talk about our favourite drinks. It will help members navigate the terms to describe the production, serving and enjoyment of beer.

Throughout the summer, the Campaign’s online

education platform CAMRA Learn & Discover will be home to new content from writers, educators and experts. There will be new guides, articles, videos and audio content added every week exploring everything there is to know about beer, cider, perry and pubs.

CAMRA’s Learn & Discover manager Alex Metcalfe said: “We hope these guides to industry terminology will help expand our members’ knowledge and ultimately their experience with their favourite drinks.”

To find more Learn & Discover resources, visit camra.org.uk/learn-discover

DRINKING bottle-condi-tioned beer could help combat obesity, promote a good night’s sleep, and may help you live longer, according to a university academic.

A Dutch scientist at the University of Amsterdam has found much like yogurt, which contains gut-friendly bacteria, they are also found in some types of beer. These beers are rich in probiotics, providing various health benefits, including warding off obesity and having a quality sleep.

Amsterdam university Professor Eric Claassen, who presented his research at an event held by probiotic mik drink Yakult, said in high concen-trations, alcohol is bad for the gut, but if you drink just one of the beers every day, it would be good for you.

According to Claassen, who studied Belgian bottle- conditioned beers, those reseeded with a new yeast, were found to be toxic to disease-causing bacteria.

HOGS Back brewery has opened a new summer bar overlooking its hop garden.

The bar, based in a converted hop hangar, with indoor and outdoor tables, will offer drinkers the chance to enjoy a pint of brewery-fresh beer with views of the growing hop bines, while robust social distancing and hygiene

measures will ensure customer and staff safety.

Table service operates throughout the bar, and guest arrival times are staggered to maintain social distancing.

Hogs Back owner Rupert Thompson said: “We think our bar is the ultimate pub garden – where else can you enjoy a pint of

beer overlooking the hops used in our beers, just yards from where they are brewed. Hopefully, we have plenty of balmy summer evenings ahead so guests can sit outside and watch the hop bines flourish until harvest in September.”

To book a table and check opening times go to www.hogsback.co.uk

BY WB REPORTER

CHARITIES and grassroots sports clubs stand to lose millions of pounds as a result of pubs being ordered to close for 12 weeks to control the spread of coronavirus.

PubAid, which promotes charity and community work by pubs, estimates charities could lose £25m that would ordi-narily be raised or donated by pubs over the next three months, while grassroots sports organisations could miss out on up to £10m.

But the group said many pubs were finding other ways to support their communities, such as delivering food to those unable to leave their homes, providing free meals to pensioners and acting as coordination hubs for commu-nity support for vulnerable residents

PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “Pubs may have been closed for more than three months, but they’ve remained at the heart of their communities by supporting local people. We hope the great work by so many licensees during lockdown is rewarded by loyalty from the communities they helped, and that their pubs are as busy as they can be while obeying social distancing guidelines.”

l CAMRA member Alex Presland (above) completed a “cycle pub crawl”, during lockdown, visiting every one of Southamp-ton’s 136 pubs to raise money for charity.

He has cycled more than 90km, touring all of the city’s pubs in a bid to raise money for Cancer Research UK to combat breast cancer.

Alex said: “I see from the press that charities have been suffering signifi-cantly reduced income because of the lockdown, so I am proud to be able to help support Cancer Research UK with my fundraising.”

Alex raised more than £1,000 for his chosen charity.

DEVIZES brewer Wadworth has put on hold plans to relocate its town centre brewery.

Plans to relocate the brewery on the outskirts of the Wiltshire town have been shelved. In December, the company announced it is to build a new brewery away from the site in Devizes which has been its home since 1885.

Wadworth chief executive Chris Welham said the plan was for the brewery to stay in Devizes but a new state-of-the art brewery would be built on either a green or brown-field site.

He said “In common with many others, the Covid-19 crisis has been extremely chal-

lenging for us as we have had to shut our pubs. In the early part of this year, we had a clear strategy to build a new brewery and adapt our managed house estate enabling us to become a much leaner and efficient business.

“The headroom we created in our bank borrowings for our new brewery is being used throughout this period of closure and as a result our plans for a new brewery have now been placed on indefinite hold.”

Last year, the company said its current site posed a number of challenges and it needed to become more agile to brew beer in a variety of production sizes.

Charities and sports hit hard by lockdown

GET TO KNOW CIDEREDUCATIONHEALTH

BEER HELPS YOU SLEEP

BREWING

COVID-19 HALTS RELOCATION PLANS

IS THIS THE ULTIMATE PUB GARDEN?

6 NEWS WHAT’S BREWING AUGUST 2020

CAMPAIGN

wb.camra.org.uk for latest news 7NEWS

BOOKS

NORWICH & District branch’s first chairman Bram Lowe has died.

Bramwell Wesley Lowe was born in Norfolk in 1934, but he was known and loved as Bram.

Bram lived an extraor-dinary life as a musician, booking agent, landlord, tour guide and real ale enthusiast.

He was an early member of CAMRA and was proud to have 47 as his member-ship number. He became the first chairman of the Norwich and District branch in 1961. He was the inspiration behind the first

Norwich Beer Festival in 1977 and was its organiser for three years.

In 1981 when Wood-forde’s brewery was founded Bram was just the man to promote the beers in his spare time. Then,

after the brewery moved to Erpingham, he became Woodforde’s first full-time sales representative. In 1889 he was appointed sales manager.

He was the perfect ambassador and became known to publicans across East Anglia as Mr Wood-forde’s. A special edition Woodforde’s beer, Old Bram, was named after him. The pump clip bore a cartoon image of him and the words “fruity but not rich” which described him perfectly.l Thanks to Mike Betts for

the information on Bram.

ONE of Burton-upon-Trent’s most popular attractions is reopening after being shut for almost four months.

The National Brewery Centre celebrates the history of brewing with an interactive museum, bar, restaurant, beer boutique and cafe.

The bar and restaurant will be open with guests asked to give their details to comply with track-and-trace requirements.

Centre general manager Sarah Tooley said: “We’re really excited to be able to welcome back our visitors.

“While things may be a little different to ensure everyone’s safety, our venue is still a great place to visit and we’d welcome the support of beer lovers and their families.”

Visitors are asked to book at www. nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk and numbers inside the venue will be limited. Tours of the museum will be going ahead but numbers will be limited.

BY WB REPORTER

CAMRA has now covered historic pubs in every corner of the UK with the publication of its latest guide, Real Heritage Pubs of the South East.

Edited by Geoff Brand-wood, this guide will lead readers to more than 100 pubs throughout the South East that still have inte-riors or internal features of real historic significance.

Listings range from unspoilt country delights and old coaching inns to cosy Victorian locals and little-known pubs from the inter and post-war periods. Illustrated with more than 200 high-quality photo-graphs, this book allows you to experience the pub history of the South East while doing your bit to help protect a vital part of the region’s heritage.

Geoff Brandwood said: “As a period of great uncer-tainty for the nation’s pubs hopefully comes to a close, it’s a delight to release the

final instalment of the Real Heritage Pub Guide series. Each pub is illus-trated and described to bring out its importance and there are related articles on the amazing tiled architecture of pubs around Portsmouth, origins of micropubs, pub games, smuggling and more besides.

“The long-lost breweries of each county are cata-logued by beer historian Martyn Cornell. Did you know, for example, that Mew’s on the Isle of Wight,

had its own boats trans-porting the firm’s beer to mainland thirsts?

“This guide highlights the best-preserved pubs across the South East, allowing you experience pub history even if you’re unable to visit them in person right now. It also champions the need to celebrate, understand and protect the genuine pub heritage we have left, and revenue raised from the title goes back into CAMRA campaigning.

“Of course, all pubs on CAMRA’s National Inven-tory of Historic Pub Inte-riors are included.”

One of the author’s favourites is the Ladies Mile (right) in the Brighton suburb of Patcham, which dates from 1935 and is a fine example of the sleek design of the period.

Every listing includes a description, highlighting its special features and the address, contact details and information about the availability of real ale,

cider and food. Pubs are arranged by county, with maps showing their loca-tion and there are articles about pub and brewing history in the area.

Real Heritage Pubs of the South East costs £7.99 (£5.99 for CAMRA members). To purchase your copy visit shop.camra.org.uk/

IT is with deep regret that Liverpool & Districts branch reports the passing of Jacky Moore after a long battle against cancer.

Jacky was a knowledge-able and passionate advo-cate of real ale for 30 years, beginning in her early 20s. In many ways this was a rare thing in those days for a woman, but it illustrates Jacky’s pioneering outlook towards real ale and pubs.

A CAMRA member for more than two decades, Jacky was a regular attendee at socials and the Liverpool Beer Festival, where she often worked as a bar volunteer passing on her knowledge of real ale.

Her enthusiasm for real ale was shown during the 2008 Capital of Culture Liverpool Beer Festival. That year’s event included a session aimed at intro-ducing women to real ale.

The organisers asked Jacky to host the event, expecting a few guests to

turn up. On opening the doors, those “few” guests had increased to 120. Undeterred, Jacky made the evening a success.

When the branch devel-oped similar social events, Jacky brought along friends – most of whom are now real ale drinkers.

Jacky was also involved with meet-the-brewer sessions in Liverpool pubs.

More recently Jacky, with husband Pat, opened the Liverpool Pigeon, Merseyside’s first micropub, which was twice Liverpool branch’s Pub of the Year and the catalyst for the explosion of micropubs in this branch area and adjoining ones.

New guide completes UK coverageHERITAGE

MUSEUM REOPENS

OBITUARIES

‘MR WOODFORDE’S’ MUCH MISSED

MICROPUB PIONEER MOURNED

CAMRA has launched a campaign to get more people to join.

The Campaign is warning the Covid-19 crisis has been an unprecedented blow for from pubs from which many may not recover.

National chairman Nik Antona wants more people to add their voices to CAMRA’s efforts, as it turns its attention to securing a package of investment and reforms to ensure the long-term survival for Britain’s pubs.

Nik said: “It’s going to take a lot of work to help these businesses recover from days of forced closure, especially as they now had to take on additional costs to reopen at reduced capacity. Some pubs, such as street-corner locals and micropubs, won’t be able to reopen at all with the current restrictions.

“That’s why it’s now more important than ever before to become a CAMRA member. CAMRA has campaigned for just

under 50 years to support the beer and pub trade. Without CAMRA, our pubs would be completely different to how they look today.

“To campaign effectively and ensure government listen to us, we need as many people behind us as possible. Membership can make a real difference to the long-term survival and viability of our nation’s pubs. CAMRA membership counts.”

To join the Campaign, visit join.camra.org.uk and sign up – standard membership is just £26.50 a year.

BY TIM HAMPSON

CLOSED pubs and the absence of beer festivals have forced branches to rethink the way they communicate with beer fans.

One solution is to publish on websites and South-East Wales’ Beer Necessities has started special online issues. It normally appears every four months and the April issue was at the printers as lockdown loomed.

CAMRA cancelled the print run and the issue appeared as usual online and was publicised on CAMRA’s South Wales Beer Forum Facebook site.

There were hopes the August issue could appear as normal in late July but it became clear this would not be practical. At the same time, there was plenty to report, in

particular the many brew-eries and pubs in the area providing takeaway and home delivery services.

This needed reporting as soon as possible and Beer Necessities editor Rick Zaple (above) got to work on a special online issue. So far, two have been produced and these will continue to appear until things get back to normal.

Rick said: “It is great to see how many businesses are still operating during

the lockdown supplying excellent real ales for people to drink at home.

“CAMRA nationally is doing a lot to publicise them but online Beer Neces-sities, with its network of local CAMRA members supplying information, is more comprehensive and provides greater detail. The online magazine also allows us to cover other local stories while they are still current.”

Beer Necessities is available at cardiff.camra.org.uk/index.php/beer-necessitiesl BRISTOL & District branch’s award-winning magazine Pints West has gone online.

While the lockdown was on it was not viable to print and distribute copies of the magazine so branch volun-teers produced a full-size summer edition, which includes Weston-super-

Mare and a section for Bath & Borders branch.

Bristol & District branch chair Richard Brooks said: “Pints West is a popular read and we know many thousands of pub-goers look forward to getting a copy each quarter.

“This summer edition is the first we have released exclusively online and I think the editor and contributors have really knocked it out of the park.

“It’s a bumper edition packed full of beer, pub and brewery-related arti-cles that show there is plenty going on despite the tough challenges faced.”

To read it go to www.c a m r a b r i s t o l . o r g . u k /PW126.pdf

A SURVEY by Norwich & District branch of the city’s pubs (right) found publi-cans are calling for more help if they are to survive.

Nine out of 10 respond-ents reported ongoing government support would be important to their pub’s survival.

More than 80 per cent have invested personal money to support them through this period, with one in five reporting an increase in loans.

Just over half reported a deferral, reduction or cancellation of rent during this period and those who reported no reductions included non-rent payers.

Norwich & District chair Ian Stamp said: “Publicans are being realistic about measures for reopening, with many able to use or access outdoor areas to increase capacity while allowing distancing.

“However, each pub is individual with different challenges, so it is difficult to find a shared view, however we hope these results have given better insight into the views of those at the sharp end of the reopening debate.”

Ian said people would need confidence before they return to pubs l PUB-GOERS in England

and Wales have welcomed changes in legislation to make it easier to drink outside.

CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said: “We are calling on all local councils to make sure applications to use outside space are dealt with quickly and don’t come with a huge price tag in terms of application fees.”

OXFORD branch is worried smaller locals will struggle following their reopening, as it urges people to give pubs a chance.

Branch spokesperson Dave Richardson told the Oxford Mail: “Many pubs, particularly in the city centre, don’t have outside drinking areas.

“There are many with just

one entrance and exit and small inside areas, so how will they cope?

“There are now several micropubs in Oxfordshire, converted from shops, and this looks a tall order for them.

“The pub experience could be very different, at least to start with. The bigger pub companies have

more staff and sometimes their own apps for ordering drinks and food, but what about the smaller, more traditional pubs?

“But we urge people to give pubs a chance. They desperately need our support, and many small pubs which may not be able to reopen face possible closure.”

Magazines go online to spread the word

GOVERNMENT HELP KEY FOR PUBS

FEARS FOR MICROPUBS’ SURVIVAL

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

PUBS

CAMPAIGN

8 NEWS WHAT’S BREWING AUGUST 2020

UK beer sales have fallen to their lowest level for 20 years. Overall sales in Q1 2020 sank by 7.2 per cent on the same period in 2019 to 1.5 billion pints – the lowest level on record, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

The fall was entirely down to sales in pubs and bars, which were down 16.4 per cent on Q1 2019 to a record 668 million pints low.

The BBPA says the new data shows the immediate impact the Covid-19 lockdown had on the beer and pub industry, as the latter were ordered to close on 20 March.

But the data only accounts for the three months up to 31 March – just one week into lock-down – so an even larger slump is expected for the second quarter.

BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said the

stark figures reveal how the devastating effect the lockdown had on pubs and breweries.

McClarkin said: “The cliff-edge impact on our sector, when people were told to stop going to the pub and then when they were shut down, is clear to see.

“Overall beer sales for the first quarter of this year are at their lowest since our records began. Pubs saw a 16.4 per cent drop in beer sales alone for the

quarter – driven solely by the sudden closure of pubs and impact of two weeks of zero sales.”

“Beer sales were at a record low in the first quarter of this year, so it’s imperative we get brewing our beer again and reopen (all) pubs as soon as possible. This will help save pubs from permanent closure, allowing them to start to get back on their feet and protect the vital jobs pubs and breweries support across the UK.”

BY KATIE WILES

ON 14 April, smack dab in the middle of the Covid-19 lockdown, CAMRA launched its inaugural podcast – Pubs. Pints. People.

It is an understatement to say the timing left much to be desired. Podcast production had been well underway for the last six months – we had recorded, interviewed, and put the finishing touches on 10 pre-planned launch episodes.

Then Covid-19 happened. Pubs were closed, the CAMRA Office shut, and we were stuck in our homes. Looking at the neat little package of episodes we had spent months putting together, I realised there was no way we could release them.

They were recorded in a world where people could go to their locals, meet with friends, plan their visit to the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF). They were completely disconnected from our new reality.

After the initial shock wore off, some of the manic excite-ment that drove Matt Bundy, Ant Fiorillo and I to podcasting reignited.

Some interviews – like our chat with Catherine Tonry about GBBF and our interview with Robin Dunbar about how great it is to go the pub – simply couldn’t be released. But there were still a handful of interviews we could dust off for a fresh attempt – if we could enlist more help.

What started out as a tenta-tive project between me and volunteer co-hosts Matt and Ant very rapidly evolved into a much wider movement.

As we built up the confidence to start recording again (on a weekly basis to stay abreast of the fast-changing news environ-ment), the podcast attracted the attention of more members. And with that attention came more offers to help.

Members who had never volunteered with CAMRA before came forward to offer their time and advice. We soon surpassed the original 10-episode schedule and marched ahead to a destina-tion unknown.

We were quickly joined by Adam Taylor from Manchester, Alan Walsh from Surrey, Harry Davies from Sheffield and Stella Sims from Brighton, who organ-ised and conducted interviews for the podcast adding their own unique voices to the show.

When the weight of editing became too heavy, the volunteers rallied again. David King, who coordinates the audio files for WB and BEER, led the march with the help of Paul Hadfield from Croydon, Tim Webb from

Kent, Simon Clark from North London and Adam Grant from Hertfordshire. This team takes on the thankless task of editing hours upon hours of interviews to produce a neat package each week.

Roles we didn’t even realise we could ask for help on with were soon filled. Iain Loe, a lifelong CAMRA volunteer and former staff member who has been part of many key events in our 50-year history, helped us pull archived materials for the show. From the Young Members Group, Rebecca Fennelly and Sean O’Mahoney took on weekly scripting and social media management.

These volunteers are working behind the scenes to deliver top-quality, interesting, and relevant beer and pub-related stories to more than a thousand listeners every week.

Many of them are not your “typical” volunteer – they might not hold a branch position, or a lifelong membership card. Yet they’ve been inspired to lend their time to an initiative that hopes to show the world CAMRA is just as relevant in 2020 as it was in 1970.

I don’t know how long the podcast will run, or when we will take a break. All I know is that there is no way we would be able to produce a regular, high-quality podcast without the volunteers who have come forward. I cannot overstress how much work goes into podcast production behind the scenes – and I thank all the volunteers involved from the bottom of my heart.

If you’d like to get involved in the CAMRA podcast, we’d love your help! We need more script writers, editors, producers, archivists etc. You can learn more about how to get involved by visiting camra.org.uk/volunteers-area/volunteering-opportunities-2/

To tune in visit shows.acast.com/pubspintspeople/

WATER companies say they have been flooded with requests from pubs to pour beer down drains.

Millions of pints of beer have gone off in pub cellars since businesses shut in March and now they have to apply for permission to pour it into the sewer.

Severn Trent has given consent for 3.5 million litres to be disposed of, while Thames Water has allowed more than six million pints to be thrown away.

A water industry spokesman said it had

been working with the brewing industry to “make sure any spoilt beer is disposed of correctly”. There are some risks associated with tipping large quantities of beer into the sewer system,” he said.

“We need to make sure that there is no overwhelming of the network.”

In Wales nearly three million pints of out of date beer were disposed of.

In May, the British Beer and Pub Associa-tion (BBPA) estimated more than 70 million pints would be tipped down the drain.

Behind the scenes of Campaign’s podcasts

AUGUSTEPISODES4 Aug: Alcohol: high & low11 Aug: Weird & wonderful beers 18 Aug: Micropubs: an opportunity for the high street?25 Aug: Collaborations – how do they come about?

BEER

BEER SALES SLUMP TO RECORD LOW

MILLIONS OF PINTS GO DOWN DRAIN

wb.camra.org.uk for latest news

INDUSTRY INSIDER

9NEWS

PUBS are warned not to overstock cask ale as they reopen and risk alienating customers and pouring unsold pints away.

The caveat comes from Cask Marque director Paul Nunny, who says people’s pub-going habits will have been changed by the lockdown.

“The on trade will have changed. You don’t know what footfall will look like and you don’t know what beer throughput will be. But you do know that if you don’t serve your cask ale in good condition, you will lose custom – custom that is now more needed than ever,” said Nunny.

The 2019 Cask Report showed four out of 10 drinkers would not return to the same pub after being served a bad pint and most of them would tell their friends about it.

He reminded licensees the golden rule is that once placed on sale, a cask must be sold within three days.

“That is, for every firkin, you need to sell 23-24 pints a day. It is a live, natural, fresh product and needs to be treated as such,” said Nunny.

Cask Marque has produced guidelines on stocking policy for cask at cask-marque.co.uk

WITH pubs now beginning to reopen their doors to customers in England, the experience will be a vastly different one for many. Our members run pubs the length and breadth of the UK, from rural village community locals, through to bustling city-centre bars and everything in between.

The challenges they have faced over the last three months have been hugely different for every licensee and it will take many a long time to recover from the closure.

Many pubs rely on seasonal trade to boost takings ahead of quieter winter months and the loss of custom over what felt like the best spring we have had in 50 years will have been disheartening for customers and pub owners alike.

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) is the leading independent membership body for licensees and individuals working in our sector today. In 2021, we will be celebrating our 40th year as a charity providing support for the profes-sionals who run our pubs. We have been working as hard as we can to ensure they could protect them-selves and their busi-nesses over this incredibly challenging period.

We introduced our seventh free helpline last month, which gives them access to help and support across all areas of health and safety, including protecting customers from Covid-19. Along with a raft of other support avail-able, we have ensured they have the most up-to-date information and joined

forces with other key trade bodies, including CAMRA, to create a powerful voice for pubs when speaking to government.

We strongly believe this collaboration has helped in the championing of pubs and their importance and want to continue the excel-lent relationship we have all formed to support pubs and their customers.

Eight out of 10 of our members who run pubs are single-site operators, many are family busi-nesses and your pub is their home too. They have spent the last three months ensuring that when you do return to the pub, you can do so as safely as possible. They have had to adapt, as we all have during this pandemic.

We know however, that the people at the heart of great pubs are resilient, innovative and positive – traits that we have seen in abundance over this period of global crisis.

Despite not being able to serve customers as they usually do, many reacted by diversifying their busi-nesses overnight, running takeaway and delivery services for locals and vulnerable people in their communities. Some have turned their pubs into grocery shops, providing basic supplies where there were none, donating goods and their time to charity to ensure everyone was taken care of and for most, this has been a break-even service at best, at a time where they too are strug-gling financially.

We have all been looking forward to the first sip of a freshly poured pint in our favourite pub, but pubs are so much more than a place to just drink. They provide an essential

service to communities and are woven into the fabric of our society as places to meet, celebrate, commiserate and connect with friends, family and likeminded people.

The pubs you will be returning to may look different. They will have more rules to adhere to, more signs to read, a different layout and even a reduced selection of the food and drink we have all been desperately missing.

The one thing that will remain the same is the people, who are the heart and soul of the pub. Staff and customers alike, many will be nervous of the new routines, the new processes and the new “normal”, but as pubs begin to fill with the sounds of laughter and of friends, old and new, chatting to each other over a pint or two, we hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the return of the Great British pub.l Steven Alton is the BII chief operating officer.

THE Pubs Code adjudicator (PCA) has published infor-mation on how tied tenants can access their rights when the period covered by the Covid-19 emergency declaration ended.

The declaration, agreed by the six national pubcos, was intended to preserve tenants’ rights during the emergency period by stop-ping the clock on important deadlines, including rent assessments and renewals.

PCA Fiona Dickie said: “The opportunity to reopen their pubs will bring a range of challenges for tied tenants. So it needs to be

as clear as possible what their Pubs Code rights are and what they need to do to access them.

“It is now more impor-tant than ever that tied tenants are free to exercise these rights as parlia-ment intended, and that pub-owning businesses demonstrate the Pubs Code principles of fair-ness and transparency in all dealings with their tied tenants.”

The code regulates the relationship between pub companies owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales and their tenants.

THE Society of Inde-pendent Brewers (SIBA) has launched a UK-wide online beer competition.

The SIBA Digital Beer Awards will see experts judge brews in live video sessions, rating a wide range of styles including IPA, pale ale, lager, bitter plus stout as well as sour and speciality beers.

“The digital beer awards are a landmark competition in the UK and open to all independent breweries, many of whom have massively increased the amount they put into bottle and can as a result

of pubs being closed,” said SIBA chief execu-tive James Calder. “Our regional competitions have been postponed for 2020 as it has been impossible to predict when and how social-distancing rules will be lifted, but this gives an alternative to brewers looking to promote their bottled and canned beers.

“We have also decided to open our competition beyond members to all independent breweries in the UK – as I’ve said from the beginning of the pandemic, we are all in this together.”

Our pubs are still a people businessPub doors might be open again

but it’s a different world inside and out, says Steven Alton

PUBS

POOR PINT WARNING

TENANTS’ CODE HELP

BREWING

BEER JUDGING ONLINE

10 LETTERS WHAT’S BREWING AUGUST 2020

INSIDE THIS MONTH:

Pub Design Awards winners revealed • Podcast’s chart successIndustry Insider: new world post virus crisis • Latest heritage list

JUNE 2020NEWSPAPER OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

WHAT’S BREWING

EVENT PLANNER

JuneCAMRA PODCASTSEVERY Tuesday tune into a new episode of the CAMRA podcast including a weekly new beer recipe from Susan Nowak. Visit camra.org.uk/podcast

CAMPAIGN

DON’T MISS

BY TIM HAMPSON

CAMRA is calling on beer and cider lovers to use its new app to support small businesses, which will help the industry reopen once the Covid-19 crisis passes.

Within hours of launching its new beer delivery app Brew2You, as part of its #PullingTogether campaign, more than 5,000 people accessed the platform to buy beer.

The app allows people to search for and purchase beer and cider sold directly from more than 2,000 pubs, clubs, breweries and cider producers trying to stay afl oat during the coronavirus lockdown.

Developed by the Campaign, the platform has received widespread support with endorsements from the British Institute of Innkeepers, the Society of Independent Brewers and Cask Marque.

CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said: “The Brew2You app is a lifeline for

an industry that has been devastated by the lockdown. Hundreds, if not thousands, of pubs and breweries risk permanent closure the longer the measures carry on.

“Many breweries have had to very quickly change their business model from selling to pubs to consumers, and this is one way to help them to get their product to market.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access locally produced artisan beers, ciders and perries during lockdown to keep struggling businesses afl oat. It’s fantastic to see such a huge take up for the platform in just 24 hours, which demonstrates the real appetite and support out there for the nation’s producers and pubs.”

Charlie Farman of Shropshire’s Hobson brewery said: “The lockdown measures have had a huge impact on us – we usually sell directly

to pubs and have had to rapidly change our business model to sell to customers direct.

“While we have been facilitating this through local deliveries on a phone-in basis, the app has really taken this to a national level. We’ve been surprised by the response in just 24 hours – it’s helped us get our product out to a wider audience and raise awareness of our brand.”

Brew2You is available to download on iOS devices. The Android app is currently under review, but customers can download the app from the website and sideload or sign up to be notifi ed when the Android app is released by visiting brew2you.co.uk

CAMRA members should support local pubs, during the lockdown, says the Campaign’s newly announced 2020 Campaigner of the Year, Mark Haslam (right).

Mark, who is the fi rst to win the award twice, said: “It is vital we continue to support our local pubs. Some are selling takeaway beer, others food and making deliveries. Before considering buying drink at the supermarket, why not look more local? Chances are it will be cheaper and taste better too.

“With the existential threat that now confronts Britain’s pubs, it’s going to be more important

than ever to campaign against those who have more malign designs on our pubs. I’d say to anyone who may have any misgivings about becoming an active campaigner – your time is here, our pubs are going to need all the help they can get.”� To fi nd out why Mark won go to page 5.

CAMRA’s call for pub companies to cancel rents for licensees has been backed by thousands of members.

More than 18,500 have taken part in CAMRA’s Save Our Pubs: Cancel Rents lobbying, with tens of thousands of emails being sent to pubco bosses urging them to scrap rents for tied tenants.

The chief executives of fi ve of the “Big Six” pub companies – Greene King, Star Bars and Pubs, Marston’s, Ei Group/Stonegate and Punch – received the messages from CAMRA members, arguing that as rent is charged to tenants based on the turnover of their pub, when pubs have none, they shouldn’t be paying it.

The Campaign has publicly thanked all the pub companies that have cancelled rent.

National chairman Nik Antona said: “We are now calling on other pub-owning businesses to follow those examples and listen to the concerns of tenants,and pubgoers who want their locals to survive this crisis.”

Details of each pubco’s response can be seen at www.camra.org.uk

THOUSANDS of pubs face ruin after they were excluded from Boris Johnson’s proposals to allow the hospitality industry to reopen in July.

The British Beer and Pub Association said four out of 10 pubs will not survive beyond September, unless the government steps up its support for them.

The prospect of 40,000 pubs shutting down sees CAMRA calling for more government support.

CAMRA’s national chairman Nik Antona has urged the government to extend the package for the hospitality industry to ensure jobs are protected, and businesses are in the best position to reopen.

“The government must

recognise that even when allowed to reopen, hospitality businesses will be operating at hugely

reduced trade. The support package needs to be extended beyond reopening and transition funding

should be made available to help pubs, bars and producers start up again.

“There needs to be an immediate relaxation of licensing laws to allow all businesses to seek revenue from off-sales for delivery or safe collection by customers.

“We’re very concerned at the suggestion that while cafes and restaurants with outdoor space will be allowed to reopen, pubs and bars which could enforce the same social distancing measures will not. The government needs to clearly explain the science and reasoning behind this – and ensure these businesses get additional support if prevented from reopening.”

Help for breweries now just a click away

MARK’S RALLYING CALL

40,000 PUBS COULD BE LOST POST CORONAVIRUS

than ever to campaign against those who have more malign designs on our pubs. I’d say to anyone who may have any misgivings about becoming an active campaigner – your time is here, our pubs are going to need all the help they can get.”�

won go to page 5.

an industry that has been devastated by the lockdown. Hundreds, if not thousands, of pubs and breweries risk permanent closure the longer the measures carry on.

had to very quickly change their business model from selling to pubs to consumers, and this is one way to help them to get their product to market.

easy as possible for people to access locally produced artisan beers, ciders and perries during lockdown to keep struggling businesses afl oat. It’s fantastic to see such a huge take up for the platform in just 24 hours, which demonstrates the real appetite and support out there for the nation’s producers and pubs.”

Shropshire’s Hobson brewery said: “The lockdown measures have had a huge impact on us – we usually sell directly

to pubs and have had to rapidly change our business model to sell to customers direct.

facilitating this through local deliveries on a phone-in basis, the app has really taken this to a national level. We’ve been surprised by the response in just 24 hours – it’s helped us get our product out to a wider audience and raise awareness of our brand.”

to download on iOS devices. The Android app is currently under review, but customers can download the app from the website and sideload or sign up to be notifi ed when the Android app is released by visiting brew2you.co.uk

recognise that even when allowed to reopen, hospitality businesses will be operating at hugely

reduced trade. The support package needs to be extended beyond reopening and transition funding

should be made available to help pubs, bars and producers start up again.

immediate relaxation of licensing laws to allow all businesses to seek revenue from off-sales for delivery or safe collection by customers.

at the suggestion that while cafes and restaurants with outdoor space will be allowed to reopen, pubs and bars which could enforce the same social distancing measures will not. The government needs to clearly explain the science and reasoning behind this – and ensure these businesses get additional support if prevented from reopening.”

PUSH TO HALT PUBCO RENTS

Internet overloadOVER the years, I have been in contact concerning the increased use of the internet that CAMRA has been pushing us all to use in dealings with the organi-sation, from having WB to all sorts of other things electronically.

Along with many other people, I do not have such a thing.

Now I feel it is getting too much. How many times in the latest paper were we asked “to visit” a site? I lost count by p9.

On the front of WB Jun you had an article on pubco rents and at the end it read “details of each pubco’s response” can be seen at etc. Surely with such an impor-tant topic as this, you should be showing the responses.

It could well have been another nail in the coffin of the pubco if it was not a sympathetic response. Had the reply been what I suspect, it would have been of great interest to readers rather than hiding it away in some long electronic file which would probably hardly be noticed.

Please think of these things which are of importance and should make print where all can read it.RD OvertonBishops Lydeard, Somerset

Poor pub perilHARRY Tabeart’s letter (WB Jul) epitomises why so many pubs have gone out of business. Firstly he had to “persuade” the landlord to change an inferior beer and was then ridiculed for not wanting it spoilt by a sparkler.

Serving the customer’s needs was clearly not

your SHOUTGOODNESS knows it will be difficult enough for pubs to recover when they are allowed to reopen after the lockdown.

Despite undoubted demand, distancing measures will make trading difficult and inevitably, and sadly, some will not survive. Those that do bounce back will have a restricted trade and will remain vulnerable for some time.

As members we should remain vigilant to spot pubcos or avaricious developers exploiting reduced trade as an opportunity to sell-off pubs or lodge planning applica-tions for change of use or demolition.

These are dangerous times, not just due to the virus!Steve Baker Lichfield, Staffs

high on this landlord’s agenda, the customer had to conform to his view of how beer should be dispensed.

Pubs are meant to be places of enjoyment and relaxation but poor, unfriendly and arrogant service is one of the reasons why so many people would prefer to save their money and go to the supermarket.Bob ClaryBeckenham, Kent

Less of the oldI TAKE exception to Tony Joyce’s letter regarding micropubs (WB Jul).

To say micropubs are places where “men, generally old, congre-gate” is derogatory. The CAMRA award-winning Micro Moose is my favourite drinking place where many young friends and university students gather preferring it to any of the local pubs.Jackie StrideBournemouth, Dorset

Predjudiced viewI TAKE issue with Tony Joyce (WB Jul) suggesting that only “men, generally old, congregate” in micropubs

Can’t speak for where he might live but we are fortunate in Worthing where nothing could be further from this preju-diced statement. We have

several decent micropubs in the area and all are frequented by both men and women of all ages.

Perhaps Tony ought to get out more (when allowed of course) and actually see what real micropubs are really like!Pete GreatorexWorthing, W Sussex

Flawed researchOH dear, here we go again. So a small sample “proves” women find swearing threatening and intimidating and it’s causing them to avoid pubs (WB Jul).

Sorry Neil, but your research is flawed: confir-mation bias (your research supports your beliefs), selection bias (people are chosen to back up your beliefs), instrument bias (your question leads people to agree with your beliefs) and reporting bias (your research is reported in way that shows your beliefs are justified).

As a woman I do not find swearing intimidating or threatening, and neither do my female friends.

In fact, we have been known to utter the odd swear word ourselves (men of a delicate disposi-tion look away now).

Most importantly, though, we would never let swearing stop us enjoying a pint of our favourite ale in our favourite pub. I acknowl-edge my opinion is subjective but at least it’s not pseudoscience.Catherine DawsonWeymouth, Dorset

Language barrierI TOTALLY agree with Neil Simpson (WB Jul) regarding loud, abusive, foul language in pubs and bars which could be a reason for driving many customers away from

attending these venues. I have been a regular pub-goer for more than 50 years and have noticed a big increase in loud swearing and antisocial behaviour which female customers and bar staff are subjected too.

Micropubs transmit the swearing far more owing to their size and the lack of areas where those who do not wish to hear it can move to. Obviously loud music and TVs make the foul language brigade shout louder.

I have left a number of pubs owing to customers continuously using foul language and certainly would not contem-plate taking a female companion in.Jeff CarterSouthport, Lancs

Driven outNEIL Simpson’s letter regarding swearing in pubs struck a chord with me. Our group of five couples has left several pubs when the swearing has become unpleasant, never to return.

When Sam Smith introduced a no-swearing policy in its pubs, it was ridiculed in the press for it.Steve MozleyRotherham, S Yorks

No respectJULY’S Star Letter reminded me national brewers don’t respect proper beer.

John Lewis wrote that in 1960 most, if not all,

STAR LETTER

EditorTim Hampsonwb.editor@camra.org.ukAdvertising John Galpin Tel: 07508 036835johngalpinmedia@gmail.comAdvertising deadline is the first of the month prior to publication. We endeavour to ensure all advertising is in line with CAMRA policy. With limited exceptions, all featured beers should be cask or bottle-conditioned.

CAMRA Office staffChief executiveTom Stainertom.stainer@camra.org.ukDeputy chief executive Ken Owst Chief commercial officerTony LewisHead of membership services John CottrellCAMRA Office email addressescamra@camra.org.uk Staff and NE members can be contacted directly at: first name.surname@camra.org.ukHome Page: www.camra.org.uk

National Executive Nik AntonaNational chairman01283 711611 (h) 07443 426583 (m)Nick BoleyCampaigns director07950 914449 (m)Ash Corbett-CollinsCommercial & communications director07463 907591 (m)Sarah CrawfordNational director07846 856930 (m) Ian GarnerFinance director07766 687743 (m)Hubert Gieschen National director07505 912784 (m)Gillian HoughReal ale, cider & perry campaigns director07847 504074 (m)

Jonathan Kemp National director07833 430330 (m)Abigail NewtonNational vice chairman07946 486642 (m)Gary Timmins Awards director07737 584300 (m)Catherine Tonry Events director07793 547067 (m)Ben WilkinsonPub campaigns director07960 098061 (m) CAMRA is a company limited by guarantee, run at a national level by an elected, unpaid board of directors (the National Executive) and at regional level by its regional directors; both backed by a full-time, professional staff.

CONTACTS

Campaign For Real Ale Limited230 Hatfield Road,St Albans, Herts AL1 4LWTel: 01727 867201

WE MUST BE VIGILANT IN THESE DANGEROUS TIMES

l Continue the debate on the CAMRA forums at discourse.camra.org.uk You can also keep up with CAMRA, beer and brewery news by following @WBandBEER on Twitter.l This issue should have arrived by 29 July. If you received it after this call 01727 798431 or email press@camra.org.uk The next issue is due by 26 August.

No good emptyJOHN Lewis tells us (WB Jul) he and some pals once dragged an empty Draught Bass cask from Burton to Aberystwyth. Er, why? Now, of course, had it been full…Mal TattersallAmpthill, Beds

Escape planTHANKS to Stay-in-a-Pub (WB Jul) the Good Beer Guide, plus the helpful advice from the landlord, we will be, with caution due to our ages, spending a week exploring the Lake District in September. Bob Barnes,Winchester, Hants

Double troubleI DON’T want to be picky, but being a northerner, I think the back page advert for the Good Beer Guide app should say “Straight from t’APP”, not “Straight from the t’APP” as that is using the word the twice!Chris Maddison Colton, W Yorks

Fine tune artworkRE Artwork for sharing (WB Jul). The strapline could be more concise. How about “We’ll cheers again, don’t know where don’t know when”? It comes with a tune and can be expanded “But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day” etc.Howard PhillipsMundesley, Norfolk

BRIEFLYof the Hancock’s pubs in Aberystwyth “sold Draught Bass as the best bitter”.

Hancock’s was taken over by Bass Charrington four years before a geography course gave me the chance to drink in all of Aberystwyth’s two dozen pubs. My recollec-tions from July 1972 are of Draught Bass not being in any of the three-quarters of the town’s pubs badged by Bass Charrington as Welsh Brewers and its keg Allbright Bitter being more prominent in them than cask Hancock’s HB or PA.Paul MudgeStafford

Weasel wordsTHE report on Fuller’s Covid financing (WB Jul) dismayed me due to the use (not WB’s, I appreciate) of a new euphemism (to me, at least). I assume “commercial paper” is meant to allude to “debt” – and that is far more likely to be in digital form than on paper anyway these days. This really is one for the Plain English Campaign!Graham BarlowLytham St Annes, Lancs

Wait for it...I HAVE just read (WB Jul)about a bottle deposit scheme in Scotland. You report it is to be introduced on 1 July. Do you know it is 1 July 2022?Brian TorrensBridge of Weir, Renfrewshirel Editor replies: apologies for omitting the year.

Letters should be received by 6 August. They should be 200 words or less to stand the best chance of publication. We reserve the right to edit letters for publication.

Send letters to wb.editor@camra.org.uk or the postal address (left)

12 AND FINALLY WHAT’S BREWING AUGUST 2020

INDUSTRY INSIDER BEER BUSINESS

MARSTON’S ‘UNCERTAIN’STRONG RELATIONSHIPS KEY TO POST-PANDEMIC SURVIVAL

IT’S fair to say the global Covid-19 pandemic came as a shock to most sectors of the economy, none more so than the brewing industry. Pubs closed their doors, customers disap-peared overnight and brewers were left with product they could no longer sell. Nobody saw this coming.

As an industry we had to adapt. Immediately we had to change the way in which we work. Our regular daily business was pulled from underneath us and we had to plan for the day we could start again, as well as plan for how to keep the business running throughout the pandemic.

Alongside our existing and well-established off-trade customer base, which has been a mainstay of our business histori-cally but also significantly during this period, while pubs have been closed and cask brewing opera-tions paused, Black Sheep brewery has also focused activity on supporting the local community with beer and food deliveries.

A selection of bottled and canned beers has been available for customers to safely purchase from home, either delivered by our team or through our distribution network.

This led to a massive increase in sales with levels of national orders from home customers similar to what we process at Christmas.

Orders and payments were taken over the phone for the delivery service. For customers who were able to collect, we created a drive-through service at our visitor centre, where beer was brought out to vehicles while maintaining a safe social distance.

When the long-awaited day came with the announcement pubs could reopen on 4 July, we put our recovery plans into action.

Our teams began the new way of working. As anyone in the industry will now know, the challenges created by the pandemic caused chaos. Like every other premises we had to create a Covid-safe environment for our staff. PPE, social distancing, sanitising and disinfecting quickly became the norm.

After a near three-month closure we started cask ale production with Best Bitter to be ready in time for the long-awaited reopening of the pubs.

The beer is the first of many casks being produced to support the reopening of outlets across the country.

Our newest cask range will also feature Twilighter, a fresh IPA was introduced as a seasonal in 2019 and was widely well received. We plan on reintroducing Black Sheep IPA in keg and our Yorkshire lager, 54° North later in July.

Our industry is built on relationships, and these have been well and truly tested throughout the pandemic. We are in the fortunate position that we have excellent relation-ships with our suppliers, we have longstanding agreements that have been built on trust and value. These have been key throughout recent weeks and months. Our job now is to overcome the challenges and rebuild our business.

Our greatest challenge

is to understand what the new normal is going to be. We need to continue to adapt the business in the same way we have done during lockdown.

We need to understand what the public’s attitude is going to be around going to the pub for a beer, and what their new expecta-tions will be. When we are planning to restock cask beer supplies, what do we need to plan for, how will things change?

There is still a sense of nervousness around going out for a drink and social-ising, about what the new pub experience will be like. The social hub may become a challenge if people can’t stand at the bar chatting or if they have to queue for the toilet. We don’t know if this will put people off

and they will be spending less time in the pubs. The classic pub feeling is going to change.

As we gear our business towards the new world, we must become adapt-able. The unknown is the challenge, localised spikes will mean we have to be nimble, to be able to adapt to whatever is thrown up.

Our relationship with the pub community is vitally important. We have a broad spectrum of customers that we have just started to interact more directly with.

Black Sheep has a reputation for quality and value that has been built over years, customers are going to be looking for brands they feel confident in and give reassurance. Customers will increas-ingly choose to buy beer made by brewers with strong ethical and envi-ronmental credentials.

Black Sheep is uniquely placed to offer consumers the high-quality, hand-crafted products they are increasingly in demand. We share a deep commit-ment to our local and national communities, high ethical standards and are continuing to lead innovation in the beer market.l Rob Theakston has been MD of Black Sheep brewery since 2012, after taking the reins from his father who formed it in 1992.

The new normal is going to be a challenge, says Rob Theakston

PUB group Marston’s has said its short-term financial outlook remains “uncertain”, as it reported a £40m hit to revenues up to 28 March. It reported a 7.7 per cent fall in revenues to £510.5m for the six-month period, while it declared a pre-tax loss of £33 million.

PUB CHAIN POSTS LOSSPUBCO Mitchells & Butlers said it sank to a £121m pre-tax loss in its half-year ending in April due to lockdown. The owner of more than 1,700 pubs and bars has also extended borrowing by £100m to £250m with a repayment deadline of the end of 2021.

SECOND DELAY FOR RESULTSFULLER’S has delayed its full-year results for a second time. The pubco had intended to publish its results for the year ending 28 March 2020 on 3 July. However, auditors Grant Thornton has informed Fuller’s it will need addi-tional time to complete the audit process.

VIRTUAL AGMCAMRA Members Invest-ment Club recently held both its AGM and June committee meeting virtu-ally. For the latest unit price and fund value visit www.cmic.uk.com

KEG BUSTER BY BILL TIDY

From August 2009