CAMRA: Pubs Code Review outcome shows Government is taking a cautious first step to tackling issues of ‘Big Beer’
Responding to the Government’s announcement that the Pubs Code for England and Wales will continue and be strengthened, CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said:
“We’re glad that the Pubs Code will be kept in place, as it’s needed more than ever. Ordinary drinkers are being denied choice and value by the global brewers that dominate the UK beer market, including how beer is sold to pubs. We’re looking forward to seeing the details of how more tied pub tenants might be able to challenge the beer tie.
“However, we still have a supply-led beer market that is dominated by global brewers, which means that licensees, independent brewers, and ordinary drinkers lose out.
“We need to see bolder reforms like guest beer rights for tied tenants, and the Department for Business must stop dragging their feet and publish the outcome of the review of access to the beer market for independent brewers.”
‘A betrayal of the founders of Sharp’s’: CAMRA reacts to confirmation of Sharp’s closure
CAMRA has reacted angrily to the closure of Sharp’s brewery in Rock, and is demanding new consumer laws. This follows confirmation that Molson Coors will be moving cask production of ‘Cornish original’ Doom Bar 417 miles away to Hartlepool. The group now wants a ‘pasty-style’ guarantee, in law, to prevent the beers being marketed as Cornish.
Molson Coors announced plans to close the brewery earlier this year, with no confirmation where it would move beer production to. At the time, CAMRA Cornwall raised fears that the brewing giant could follow in the footsteps of Carlsberg, who market Wainwright as a ‘Lake District Original’ despite brewing it more than 100 miles away in Wolverhampton.
Dave Pedlar, Cornwall CAMRA Chairman, said:
“This is a betrayal of the founders of Sharp’s, the 40 people whose jobs are at risk, and the locals that have supported this business for decades.
“We’ve known for a while that the Sharp’s cask production was moving out of the Duchy, but Hartlepool is 417 miles away, which is as far from Rock as Brussels. We need ‘pasty-style’ consumer protection laws that stop Molson Coors from continuing to market these beers as Cornish.”
Since Molson Coors announced their intentions to close Sharp’s in February 2026, CAMRA have launched a new, UK wide campaign and ‘Beer in the UK’ report to raise awareness of the tactics of global brewers in the UK beer market. The campaign highlights misleading marketing practices, and how independent brewers struggle to get their beers onto bars.
Tom Stainer, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:
“It’s entirely ridiculous that a beer named after a sandbank in the Camel Estuary, and marketed as a ‘Cornish original’, is now going to be made in Hartlepool. Once again, global brewers are closing breweries, trashing our reputation as a great brewing nation, and misleading ordinary drinkers.
“This is why we’ve launched our new campaign to expose ‘Big Beer’ in the UK, their misleading marketing tactics, and demand that the Competition and Markets Authority investigate how global corporations dominate the beer market. We need decisive action to deliver a fairer beer market for independent brewers and ordinary drinkers.
Inspirational orchardist who is futureproofing cider and perry wins outstanding CAMRA award
Albert Johnson, from Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company, has won CAMRA’s 2026 Pomona Award for championing the promotion of real cider and perry in the UK.
The Pomona Award honours people who have made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.
Albert, whose father won the Pomona Award in 2009, grows a phenomenal collection of around 120 different apple varieties and 30 different pear varieties. This means that he has introduced the largest range of single variety ciders and perries in the UK, if not the world.
Between new orchard plantings and maintaining established orchards over 35 acres, Albert has made an outstanding contribution to preserving a vast number of diverse apple and pear varieties. His Oak Meadow Orchard project futureproofs the DNA of rare, heritage commercial use varieties, within the UK cider scene, on his family farm.
A highly respected figure in the cider and perry industry, Albert is taking the traditional drink to a higher level of quality, authenticity and provenance while inspiring future generations of orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers.
He shares his knowledge widely and has been instrumental in launching a number of initiatives to promote and provide education about these products.
An award presentation is taking place at Perry Fest, Museum of Cider in Hereford from 4.15pm.
Albert, reacting to the win, said:
“I’m humbled and delighted to receive the Pomona Award. It’s an honour to have been nominated by peers and friends across the cider industry. In 2009, my father Mike Johnson was also recognised by the Pomona Award and it brings me great pride to know that seventeen years later, the same values of hospitality, inclusivity, and openness are what characterise my decisions and the work that everyone at Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry do on a daily basis. The joy of working in cider is the co-operation and collaboration between cidermakers, retailers and advocates, of whom I am lucky to call many my great friends.”
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pomona Award Coordinator, said:
“It is an honour to reward Albert as this year’s outstanding Pomona Award winner; his advocacy in the industry is not only inspirational but commendable, encouraging current and future orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers to help safeguard our cider and perry heritage and helping to promote these products to a widespread audience.
“Albert’s impressive work in collecting and future proofing apple and pear varieties and the orchards that grow them, and sharing his knowledge, is truly inspirational in protecting an entire industry of great drinks made by independent producers for consumers.”
“An absolute disgrace”: beer drinkers react to Carlsberg plans to close Burton brewery
CAMRA has reacted with anger to the news that Carlsberg intends to close its Burton brewing site in 2027.
The consumer giants have renewed demands for the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate how global interests have consolidated the UK beer market and are supportive of Carlsberg’s assertion that they are seeking “suitable long-term custodians” for some of the cask beers in their portfolio.
The global manufacturer, which bought Marston’s brewing business outright just two years ago, initially entered a joint venture with Marston’s in 2020, and then acquired soft drinks giant Britvic in 2025.
This is not the first time it has closed a historic brewing site, impacting heritage, the local economy and devasting the industry. Ringwood and Wychwood breweries have closed. Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth and the Tetley Brewery in Leeds have thankfully found success in alternative, independent ownership.
Closure of the historic brewing site in Burton puts around 300 jobs at risk, with dramatic consequences for the town which has been a centre of brewing knowledge for centuries.
Carlsberg wrote to CAMRA as the announcement was made, setting out their reasons for the decision and highlighting that they will be seeking long-term custodians for some of the cask beers within their portfolio.
CAMRA recently launched its ‘Beer in the UK’ report and wider campaign urging the Competition and Markets Authority to launch a formal investigation of the UK beer market.
Representing ordinary drinkers and pubgoers, CAMRA maintains that independent brewers are locked out of the market by global conglomerates, despite providing genuine innovation and choice to drinkers.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman, said:
“I was born and raised in Burton, and I’m proud of our place at the centre of British brewing. Unfortunately, statements from Carlsberg about understanding the importance of the brewery to the town come far too little too late for most people, CAMRA included.
“This announcement is an absolute disgrace, and the latest in a string of actions that show how little they care about our brewing heritage or the nation’s drinkers.
“However, we do agree with Carlsberg on one thing. The time is right to think about alternative, independent, brewers who are willing to become custodians of Carlsberg’s cask brands and will finally do the beers the justice they deserve.
“Like the rescue of Jennings in Cumbria by passionate and experienced brewers, I hope the Burton brewery can be saved. I’ve got fond memories visiting the brewery in better days, and maybe I’ll be able to go again if it’s handed over to independent owners.”
CAMRA opens nominations for the UK’s most picturesque pubs
Pubs across the UK are being urged to enter CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards.
This coveted award not only celebrates the UK’s most picturesque hostelries, but seeks out hidden gems where people have converted a building into a pub.
One of 2026’s winners was St Peter’s Tavern in Liverpool, set inside a stunning 1788 church, while converted high street shops providing communities with a local struck gold.
Working with Historic England, the renowned CAMRA award showcases stunning pub architecture across the UK. First introduced in 1983, dozens of locals have been recognised, with visitors flocking to marvel at the winning pubs.
Judged by a panel of experts, the awards recognise the highest standards of pub refurbishment and conservation, plus the construction of brand-new pubs and spaces being converted to pub use.
There are five different categories: Conversion to Pub Use, Historic England Conservation, New Build, Refurbishment and Community Local.
From majestic Art Deco era establishments, innovative creative projects to build or convert new pubs, and street corner locals lovingly renovated by their community, the awards invite history buffs and pubgoers alike to explore and appreciate these inspirational buildings.
Nominations open Thursday 8 October to all pubs that meet the criteria, which can be found on CAMRA’s website.
And nominations are open to all – whether you are a pub owner, a tenant, the architect behind the transformation, a CAMRA member or a punter, we look forward to discovering the best of the best!
Nominations close 18 November 2026.
Historic England’s Andrew Davison, Chair of CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards, said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of our annual Pub Design Awards. They are a wonderful opportunity for owners, publicans and communities to show just how much creative flair, craftmanship and imagination goes into protecting, refurbishing and repairing their much-loved locals and creating brand-new pubs.
“The judges are always so enthused and encouraged to see the wide range of entries, making our job very difficult indeed! To see these fabulous design projects come to fruition is both humbling, while creating a sense of community for generations to come. This is especially important at a time when pubs are struggling against a difficult economic backdrop and gives us the opportunity to celebrate these amazing buildings.”
To enter the competition and see previous winners, visit: camra.org.uk/awards/pub-design