Adnams draymen have taken a cellar management course and gained a BII qualification so they can advise customers on storing, handling, and dispensing cask ale.
The Adnams draymen at the Sole Bay Brewery with Cask Marque’s Annabel Smith
The course was delivered by Annabel Smith, Cask Marque’s training manager, in the Adnams training room at the brewery in Southwold.
Cask Marque has trained sales teams for a number of breweries and pub groups, but this is the first time draymen have been enrolled in this training course.
“They were a great group to teach as they were very attentive, interested, and asked very relevant questions,” said Annabel. “It is a good investment as draymen are fronting the company when visiting customers every week.
“Also, the team will feel valued as the company invested in increasing their knowledge and this acknowledges the importance of their job role.”
Gary Stacey, Adnams’ transport manager, said: “Our draymen are frequently asked about cellar issues. Now they can feel confident in answering questions and giving advice. It will also reduce ullage returns. Annabel made the course both interesting and enjoyable for the team.”
Currently, Cask Marque’s focus is on the cellar. All pubs inspected need to gain a 4*/5* rating to hold the Cask Marque award. By the end of 2023, more than 8,000 pubs will have a cellar rating.
In the first quarter of this year, 27% of pubs failed to gain the 4*/5* rating. Apart from the normal issues, ice machines and glass washing machines failed from a hygienic aspect, and a number of pubs did not have their gas secured, which is a safety issue.
Paul Nunny, director of Cask Marque, said: “Good cellar practice delivers better yields and better beer, thus helping pub profitability. Remember, the cellar is to beer as the kitchen is to food. The star rating system will drive up standards that will not only benefit the pub but also the consumer.”
