Category: News

Carlsberg and Marston’s have announced a joint venture: the Danish firm will own 60% of the new Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company with Marston’s holding 40% and receiving a cash payment of up to £273M. The new business will provide a mix of Carlsberg’s mass-market lagers and Marston’s cask, and will also supply Carlsberg beers into Marston’s estate of ~1,400. Commenting on the proposed joint venture beer company, Chief Executive of the Campaign for Real Ale Tom Stainer said: “This announcement about a proposed new Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company is a red flag to beer drinkers and pub goers across the UK and gives us cause for concern about the future of British beers, brands and breweries.   “If this joint venture goes ahead, we would see further consolidation of the brewing industry into just a few large, international players – to the detriment of our national brewing heritage, consumer choice, the diversity of beer in pubs across the country and the access to market for the small, independent brewing industry.   “CAMRA wants to see Carlsberg and Marston’s protect jobs and protect pubs, as well as to resist any brewery closures or moves which would see existing beers losing their identity, or regional character, as part of a merger.” In our branch area there are several pubs who could be affected. These include, in Derbyshire, the Eyre Arms (Calver), the Scotsman’s Pack (Hathersage) and the Star (Tideswell). In Sheffield, Marston’s have the Double Top (Halfway), Eighteen Ten (Carbrook), the Hare and Hounds (Oughtibridge), the Howard (City Centre), and the Milestone (Crystal Peaks). We also have concerns regarding the internationally unique Marston’s Brewery. This is the only one in the world to use the ‘Burton Union’ system of brewing: a Union set consists of large wooden casks, on their sides in rows, suspended off the floor in a frame by large metal axles. Each barrel is fitted with a bottom valve that leads to a bottom trough. A cooling coil is in each barrel to control fermentation. The barrels are linked together by a series of pipes so that liquid can be evenly dispersed throughout the Union. Fermenting wort is introduced at the feeder vessel and flows into the barrels. As the yeast ferments, it is forced out of the barrels in bursts. As the fermentation proceeds, a large amount of healthy yeast is retained in the top trough and the beer in the barrels gradually becomes bright. The yeast is collected from the top trough for subsequent use. After about six days, the fully fermented beer is moved to a finishing vessel, blended with other beer, or packaged in casks. The Burton Union at Marston’s is currently only used to brew Marston’s Pedigree. Dave Pickersgill

A new website has been launched by the guys behind Heist Brew Co – who are in the process of relocating to the Neepsend area of Sheffield – celebrating everything independent in Sheffield which will help to support local businesses amidst government guidelines impacting their current operations and bringing you at home some great treats! The website will host a number of handpicked Sheffield independents that will form the  survival boxes, with the chance for the public to suggest other independents they’d like to see in future boxes. The boxes will contain beer, gin, chocolate, snacks, tea, coffee plus  more from names such as Abbeydale, St Mars of the desert, Bullion Chocolate, Yorkshire Crisps, Triple Point, Hendersons, Robin of Locksley and SMO:FO, amongst others, all of which celebrate Sheffield and showcase what is on offer in the city. Visitors and customers to the site will also have the opportunity to make a donation to the NHS as part of their order, all of which proceeds will be donated to Sheffield Hospitals. Heist Brew Co had this to say ‘The Sheffield independent community has always been one that has inspired us, collaboration plays a huge part in each of our lives, and we wanted to collate the best that Sheffield has to offer in a box delivered direct to your door. We have teamed up with a number of friends in the industry, independent breweries, distilleries, artists and food producers to bring you different survival boxes that you can enjoy at home.’ You can find the website at sheffieldsurvivalbox.com

The Campaign for Real Ale is launching a new app called Brew2You on 6 May which will allow customers to order their favourite drink from local pubs and breweries trying to stay afloat during lockdown. Pubs and breweries can use the app to create a menu which customers can order from, making it easy for local businesses to sell beer and cider without going through the hassle of setting up their own online shops or complicated e-commerce services. The app will be free-to-use for pubs and breweries who will receive the full price charged for their products. CAMRA will not charge a commission for use, pubs and breweries just need to pay a small £2/month fee for Stripe usage, which manages payments separately. To sign up as a partner, simply visit brew2you.co.uk and set up your shop. Nik Antona, CAMRA’s National Chairman said: “The Brew2You app is the next logical step in CAMRA’s Pulling Together campaign, launched with SIBA and Crowdfunder to support the industry during this difficult time. “We already have 2,000 breweries, pubs and cideries listed as offering takeaway or delivery services so that consumers can support local businesses during lockdown, but it is still a multi-step process to then go on and order beer. “The Brew2You app brings all of this great work onto one platform so that users can not only search for but also order their favourite drink with just a click of the button.” The app has also already received widespread support across the industry with endorsement from Cask Marque and SIBA, who will also be encouraging their members to sign up. Paul Nunny Director of Cask Marque said: “It is great to see the industry working together supporting local brewers and pubs. Many pubs have responded to the challenge to help their communities and this app makes it easy for the two to work closer together. The app gives pubs a single platform to promote their offering. Well done to CAMRA – now let us take advantage of modern technology to help our businesses.” James Calder, SIBA Chief Executive said: “SIBA are delighted to be working with CAMRA to promote the amazing beers available from independent breweries across the UK. With pubs and bars closed, breweries are putting more beer into bottles and cans than ever before and launching local delivery and takeaway services too – the Brew2You app helps beer lovers find the best beer from small independent craft breweries in their local area. Not only is it great for consumers as they can get the freshest, tastiest beer available near to them, but they will be helping a local independent business survive during these difficult times.” CAMRA is now asking pubs, clubs, breweries and cideries to sign up on the platform ahead of the launch date on 6 May to ensure a good coverage of services when it goes live.

With pubs and restaurants now ordered to close until further notice except for takeaway, this new national website is to help pubs and breweries get through by publicising initiatives to keep in business such as operating as an off licence or offering home delivery. If you run a pub or brewery you can add a listing by filling out the online form. For consumers that appreciate good beer, please continue to support your favourite local pubs and breweries where you can rather than buying from big supermarket chains! https://camra.org.uk/pullingtogether/

‘A Passion for Vaux – Sunderland’s Lost Brewery’ is a documentary film which was premiered in Sunderland recently: ‘The story of the people of Sunderland & how the ‘City Financiers’ took away their beloved brewery.’ The film also mentions the closure of Sheffield Brewery S.H.Wards (owned by Vaux) in July 1999, 20 years ago. Included is an interview with Linda Hutton (who was Chair of Sheffield and District CAMRA when Wards closed). Sheffield CAMRA is also included in the credits as we supplied some archive material. One of the themes in our 500th issue of Beer Matters next month will be how the beer scene has changed in Sheffield over the years. Stones Brewery closed less than a year after Wards, leaving no industrial scale breweries remaining in the City, something which hasn’t changed, however we now have a record number of ‘craft’ microbreweries producing a varied range of beers from simple easy drinking bitters & Blondes right up to lip curling sours and more – with all but one of those breweries producing real ale. You can view a trailer for the documentary film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5uijw-orzY

The Pubs Code was established in 2016 and regulates the tenancies of large estates of tied pubs in England and Wales. It is enforced by a Pubs Code Adjudicator. Since its introduction, CAMRA has raised concerns about the failure of some pub companies to act within the spirit of the Code, and has drawn attention to ways in which it believes the legislation could be improved. In summary, CAMRA believes that when Parliament brought in the Pubs Code, its intention was for “Market Rent Only” arrangements to be a realistic option for publicans – but in reality, the number of pubs which have been able to adopt such an arrangement and break free of supply ties has been very small. The Government is required to review the Pubs Code and the Adjudicator’s performance regularly and the first review, covering the period to 31 March 2019, has just been announced. The government is seeking views and evidence which will inform the its statutory review of the Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. For more background information or to find out how to submit evidence to the review, please visit www.camra.org.uk/pubs-code.

CAMRA has announced the best Cider and Perry in Britain to be Mayfayre’s Cider (Herefordshire) and Cleeve Orchard’s Perry (Ross-on-Wye). The winners were revealed at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival, home of the National Cider and Perry Championships. Mayfayre’s Cider impressed judges for being well-balanced and more-ish, boasting distinct spicy and woody notes and a dry aftertaste. In contrast, Cleeve Orchard’s Perry won the title for its floral and full-bodied flavour, which had a hint of smoke in the aftertaste. The competition follows more than a year of local tasting panels and regional heats that culminated at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival (2-5 May). Festival-goers have the opportunity to sample the winning drinks along with 150 ciders and perries, 550 beers, foreign beers, wines and mead. Andrea Briers, Chair of CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Committee said: “Huge congratulations to both Cleeve Orchard and Mayfayre for their exemplary products. As we know, cider and perry flavours can vary significantly from year to year and harvest to harvest, so seeing such distinct quality is incredibly important. “Mayfayre, which is based in Herefordshire, exemplifies the very essence of traditional cider right in the home of England’s cider country. Cleeve Orchard also impressed judges with its West Country Perry. Owner Lewis Scott has worked with CAMRA to campaign for greater support for small producers, and is a great example of how a local producer of the area can gain national recognition with a quality product.”

We are delighted to announce that Sheffield has beaten off competition from a number of real ale cities to be chosen as the location of CAMRA’s national Members’ Weekend and AGM for 2021. As if that wasn’t enough of an honour, 2021 is a very significant year as it also marks the 50th anniversary of CAMRA’s creation. Having been chosen we now need to begin making preparations and putting together an organising committee. As it is a national event, we will also have help from volunteers from other branches but the main things we will need to put together include a members’ bar and catering; trips to local breweries and pubs; a handbook including a programme and local tourist information; and rooms and equipment for meetings and workshops. There will be planning meetings arranged in due course, so anybody interested in helping out should keep an eye on our branch diary. Sheffield City Hall has been booked for the Members’ Weekend and we will be having a look around the venue on Tuesday 21 May at 2pm. All interested in taking part are welcome to attend.