A campaign launching today is calling on beer drinkers to back British brewing and pubs and opt for a pint of fresh cask beer from a local independent brewery when they return to pubs next week.
Sales of hand-pulled cask beer, which can only be sold in pubs, have been hit hard by coronavirus restrictions — sales are down 70% over the last 12 months — but the campaign is seeking to reverse this.
The ‘Cask is back, so back cask’ campaign has been launched today by SIBA (the Society of Independent Brewers), CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale), the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping), and Cask Marque.
“Cask beer and pubs go hand in hand and are an important part of our national identity,” said James Calder, chief executive of SIBA. “Because cask beer can only be enjoyed in the pub, it’s the drink millions of beer lovers across the UK have missed most during lockdown.
“Whether you’re a real ale enthusiast or sometimes beer drinker, we’re asking everyone to support their local independent breweries and opt for their first pint back in the pub to be some delicious local cask beer.
“For publicans, those pubs that do cask and do it well will reap the rewards, so we’re encouraging all in the pub trade to prioritise cask and ensure that first pint back is in tip-top condition. The message is simple — cask is back, so back cask!”
CAMRA chief executive, Tom Stainer, added: “What makes the Great British pub so unique is delicious, fresh cask beer. It’s a drink you can only enjoy in the pub, and which millions of people across the UK have not been able to enjoy for much of the last 12 months.
“So when pubs re-open next week I’d like to invite you to join me in making our first pint down the pub a fresh cask beer from a local brewery. You’ll not only get a great tasting beer, but you’ll be supporting local independent breweries and our struggling pub industry.”
