An interesting little snippet in the Publican's Morning Advertiser advises that cask has overtaken keg in the draught ale market in the UK according to the British Beer and Pub Association. That's great news for cask and yet again confirms that despite doom mongers, it continues to perform well in the UK pub market.In further good news, it seems pub closures are slowing overall too and closer to home for this writer, at our CAMRA AGM last night our Pubs Officer was able to confirm the same is happening in my area, with a distinct decline in closures, as well as new openings of cafe/bar style venues and pub/restaurants. So maybe that corner is being turned, though as yet it is too early to say its all settling down. Nonetheless a touch of cautious optimism wouldn't be entirely misplaced.
Going back to doom mongers, I noted with some satisfaction that membership of my CAMRA branch is up over 25% year on year, with over 1100 members now under my wing. Attendance at meetings is up too, so maybe just maybe, there is life in the old CAMRA dog yet? I like to think so.
Of course, bubbles are there to be burst and good news is often followed by bad, but I feel quite pleased with these little bits of news, so I will celebrate tonight with a Meet the Brewer event (Hawkshead) with some of my members in one of my newest pubs. As well as locals, we expect over 25 members turning up to support the event.
CAMRA, despite all its critics is still good for the on trade business.
Also looking forward to presenting Hawkshead with an award for winning Regional Porter of 2011 with Brodies Prime.
Whether there is cause for optimism or not, at least CAMRA members are trying to do something, even if for many that is simply going to the pub and drinking the stuff. Internet trolls who, embittered by the s*****g ban, boast they never venture into pubs any more, are part of the problem, and can safely be ignored, even though their often anonymous, incoherent nonsense can be annoying - in much the same as a child who insists on telling the same joke over and over again gets on your nerves - but don't really affect your life.
ReplyDeleteWhat are we cheering? A massive and substantial increase in cask beer consumption or the relentless decline of old mans smooth bitter?
ReplyDeleteNeither, I think.
ReplyDeleteNeither? I'm confused.
ReplyDeleteHow do we square the circle of CAMRA's growing irrelevance due to it's failure to embrace craft keg with a 25% increase in members? Tands celebrity blogger status?
If I were a computer I'd explode due to the logical paradox like when Capt Kirk forces computers to self destruct.
Well done on the success with your local branch. What do you think is attracting new members and bringing people to meetings?
ReplyDeleteGood news all round. Out of interest, is the increase in branch membership matched by an increase in branch participation?
ReplyDeleteCooking Lager: if you insist in thinking in terms of squares and circles, no wonder you're confused. Smooth is under no threat and is still very popular, and not just with old men. Cask sales apparently have overtaken keg. Standard cooking lager in pubs is on the decline, but premium and genuine foreign lagers are increasing. And it does not constitute growing irrelevance to refuse to embrace non-real beer - clue in the name CAMRA (last 2 letters, if you're still confused). Craft itself is, in terms of beer sales, irrelevant, because you just don't see it anywhere, although I accept that may change. However, I'm regular pub goer but have seen it on sale only once.
ReplyDeleteIf you and others want an organisation to push craft beer, go and start one. After all, CAMRA itself began with just four men in a pub.
It's very encouraging to hear some good news for a change. Hope the trend continues!
ReplyDeleteNev : You make the mistake of going into pubs and noticing what actual people are drinking in the real world. You need to stay at home, never venture out, and view the world from the prism of beer blogs.
ReplyDeleteThen you'd see that craft beer is the biggest and most important thing ever. Like in Averys bell curve here
http://thebeerboy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/beer-is-continuum-or-bell-curve-of.html
How an organisation can grow whilst being irrelevance to the beer blogosphere I can only put down to Tands celebrity blogger status. There is no other explanation.
Either way, congrats. Brand Tand is paying dividends.
Thanks Cookie. When I have the t shirts made, you'll be the first to get one. Or would you prefer a mug?
ReplyDeleteBeer Nut. Yes, but nowhere near as much in percentage terms. But we are getting more people to meetings and events and hopefully then we can get more "doing" and I can retire as chairman. My 25 years aren't that far away. I was that young person involved in CAMRA.
God Help Us.
25 Years? I didn't think I'd been in Camra 25 years but I'm sure I can remember Chairman Chinn, and Chairmaness Lee?
ReplyDeleteIt's a few years yet. I said "not that far away". Not sure exactly. You are mistaken about the Chairmaness though. There never was. She was Sec before me. I took over from Bernie. It was about 21 or 22 years ago. Bernie wasn't sure when I asked him, but we'll work it out.
ReplyDeleteCooking Lager, it's not the first time I've missed the mockery in what you've written: I must pay more attention!
ReplyDelete