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Handpump Hijack

In March 2024, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) launched ‘Fresh Ale’. These are brewery-conditioned versions of their cask range, which are then kegged and served through cask handpumps. They positioned this as a way to ‘revive’ cask by giving it a longer shelf life. One of the factors that makes cask unique is that it doesn’t leave the brewery as a finished product. Instead, the conditioning that completes the brewing process is done at the pub, and relies on the skills, timing and experience of the staff and licensee. There are two main implications for cask beer and consumers that CAMRA opposes. Most noticeably the dispense method is misleading, but this also creates a more general threat to cask as the beer is not cask-conditioned, but the use of ‘Fresh Ale’ marketing seeks to imply that it is. CAMRA has a long-standing policy on the issue of using a handpump to dispense non-cask beers – which entered CAMRA policy as ‘misleading dispense’ in 1988/89.  If you are aware of a pub selling 'Fresh Ale' like this, please let us know. For more information, click here.

Full Pints

How often have you gone into a pub for a pint and been given a glass that's got an inch of froth in it? Youasked for a pint, you paid for a pint so why didn't you get a pint? For thefull story, and what you can do about it, visit our national web site at www.camra.org.uk. Or you could go to another pub that does give you a full pint when you askfor one. You can also write to your local Trading Standards office. If there areenough complaints, perhaps the industry WILL realise that we aren't happy withthe current situation and the Government will keep to its promise to protectyou and me from short measure. And, of course, you can join CAMRA and help us to campaign. To join on-line,visit our national web site.

High Street Rental Auctions

In 2017 CAMRA helped win landmark planning protection for pubs in England, but this is under threat from a new Government proposal that would give permitted development rights for vacant high street pubs. High Street Rental Auction proposals could see developers convert high street pubs, with no way for communities to have their say. Email your MP today and ask them to stand up for high street pubs.

High street pubs could be converted to other uses, divided up into multiple units, or gutted of their bars, cellars or other integral fittings as part of the Government’s latest levelling up plans. We need as many people as possible to get involved by emailing their MPs and asking them to ensure that community venues aren’t turned over to the highest bidder.

You can find out more here: camra.ork.uk/saveourpubs or e-lobby your MP at https://camra.e-activist.com/page/128358/action

Pubs Welcoming Creativity

The British Guild of Beer Writers is holding a peer-support network meeting on 22 November for pubs who woulfd like to host creative activities by various local groups. If you run a pub who would be interested in this, details are on their website.

Small Producer Relief Survey

If you run a brewery or are a cider producer that produces products of less than 8.5% ABV and your total production is less than 4,500 hectolitres of pure alcohol across your entire range, help to gather information for the Small Producer Relief. You can find more information (and a link to the survey) on our National Website.