News
- 100 INDY BREWERIES LOST IN A YEAR
Friday 21 February 2025
Figures released show the UK has 100 fewer breweries in total as of January 2025 compared to January 2024 – with each quarter of 2024 showing a negative net closure rate – despite reports of strong demand for beer from independent breweries. See SIBA Report - 100 Independent breweries Lost Last Year for more details.
- LONDON DRINKER FEBRUARY 2025
Sunday 9 February 2025
The latest edition of London Drinker Magazine will be circulated to some local pubs and clubs in next week or so. If you’d like to view an online version, see London Drinker February - March 2025.
- ARTICLE ON PUB CLOSURES
Monday 2 December 2024
An interesting opinion piece by Adrian Chiles that appeared in the Groniad, as Private Eye calls it. As he put it 'I’m comforted by the thought that just around the corner there’s a public place with people sitting around chatting’, see We've lost 20,000 pubs in the last 40 years. Great to see national media showing an interest.
- WHAT IS A CRAFT BREWERY ANYWAY?
Tuesday 22 October 2024
The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) have commissioned a survey into what consumers consider to be craft or independent breweries, a very good question. This has been reported on in the national media, which is great coverage for real ale. To find out more, please see Indie Brewers ditch Craft Beer tag.
- GBBF - GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL 2025
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Discover the Great British Beer Festival 2025 at the NEC Birmingham – Bigger, Bolder, Better!
The Great British Beer Festival is back and in 2025, we’re taking things to the next level! For the first time ever, the Great British Beer Festival will be held at the iconic NEC in Birmingham, the UK’s premier events venue. This exciting new location means more space, more brews, and even more opportunities to celebrate the best in British and international beer. For more information, see GBBF the Great British Beer Festival.
- HAPPY MAN BEER FESTIVAL REPORT
Friday 4 October 2024
We held an enjoyable Branch Social at the third beer festival of the year, at the award winning Happy Man in Englefield Green on Thursday 3rd October 2024. Main stillage was in rear garden, which was paved and covered by a heated awning. Landlord James had some last minute hiccups with beer deliveries, so Beer List October 2024 was heavily edited. Still some great ales, and it was quite enjoyable watching a stream of toga wearing students drifting in and out. Hope they were wearing their vests, as mum used to say.
- CAMRA DEFINITION OF PUBS & CLUBS
Monday 30 September 2024
The recent developments around Whitbread, Premier Inns and adjacent branded pubs, have highlighted the importance of the Government incorporating a pub definition into planning law. As matters stand, there are zones of confusion both between pubs and restaurants and pubs and hotels. After much research and consultation, CAMRA have revised it's definition of pubs and clubs.
In summary, the CAMRA definition of a Pub is that the licensed premises must: (1) be open to and welcome the general public without requiring membership or residency and without charging for admission* (2) allow drinking on the premises without requiring food to be consumed. *Except when entertainment is provided on limited occasions when an entry charge may apply. You will note that definition no longer requires at least one draught beer, due to changes in way many pubs and pubs now function.
If you have a spare 10 minutes, full definition is see CAMRA Definition of Pubs & Clubs 2024 which is within Members area of our national website.
- CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2025 PUBLISHED
Thursday 26 September 2024
The UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide is celebrating its 52nd edition with not one but two covers featuring two of the UK’s most well known if mythical locals. The Guide, which surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs. Available now via Good Beer Guide 2025. Also available in webapp form.
All pubs included are selected by local CAMRA members. An enjoyable task, why not join in for next edition? See Beer Scoring and GBG for more info.