One month to go until Alcohol Duty system changes

Today marks one month until the biggest Alcohol Duty reforms in 140 years come into effect.

On 1 August 2023, the Alcohol Duty system will become much simpler, taxing all alcoholic drinks based on their alcohol by volume (ABV).

This replaces the current Alcohol Duty system, which consists of four separate taxes covering beer, cider, spirits, wine and made-wine.

It's aim is to make the system fairer and responsive to new products entering the market as consumer tastes evolve and change.

Small producers, including pubs and restaurants, will benefit from reduced rates on qualifying products, like draught beer and cider.

The new system reflects the government’s commitment to tax simplification, helping to foster the right conditions for businesses to prosper and the economy to grow, which reportedly one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies said: “Because we left the EU we can make certain our alcohol duty system works for us. From next month the whole system will be much simpler, the duty will reflect the strength of the drink.

“We will also protect pubs and brewers with our Brexit Pubs Guarantee keeping Draught Duty down, and a new Small Producer Relief."

Jonathan Athow, Director General of Customer Strategy & Tax Design, HMRC, said: “After listening to feedback from industry, economists, public health groups and many business owners, the new Alcohol Duty system will be based on the founding principle of taxing alcoholic products by strength, ensuring consistency across the board for the first time ever.

“The new system will support the government’s public health objectives and provide extra support to small producers, pubs and the hospitality sector.”

The new system will create six standardised alcohol duty bands across all types of alcoholic products and apply to all individuals and businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, holding and sale of alcoholic products across the UK.

These reforms will replace and extend the existing Small Brewers Relief with Small Producer Relief. This means all small businesses that produce any alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% will be eligible for reduced rates on qualifying products, if they produce less than 4,500 hectolitres per year.

To support the hospitality industry, and recognising the vital role played by pubs in our communities, there will also be a reduced rate for draught products, which is known as Draught Relief. This will reduce Alcohol Duty on qualifying beer and cider by 9.2%, and by 23% on qualifying wine-based, spirits-based and other fermented products, sold in on-trade premises such as pubs and restaurants.

The reforms will mean every pint in every pub across the UK will pay less duty than their supermarket equivalent, in line with the government’s Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

To support wine producers and importers in moving to the new method of calculating duty on their products, temporary arrangements will be in place for 18 months from 1 August 2023 until 1 February 2025.

To support innovation and responsible drinking, low strength drinks below 3.5% ABV will be charged at a new lower rate of duty. In making these changes, the government aims to encourage product innovation and ensure the Alcohol Duty system works for business and consumers.

More information on the new Alcohol Duty rates and reliefs can be found on GOV.UK.

Those involved in the production of smaller quantities of alcoholic products, can check the reduced rates of duty that apply to them by using the Small Producer Relief calculator. HMRC is also running a series of live webinars throughout July 2023 and in the months ahead to further support the alcohol industry through these changes.

Salford's SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWERY launched Crowdfund Campaign to build 'Forever Home" and boost production

Salford's SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO is aiming to raise half a million Pounds via a crowd funding campaign in an exciting bid to build a new 'forever home' as it expands to meet rapidly growing production demands.

The much-loved Salford-based brewery is looking to invest in “near-term” production, as well as launching the process to build a larger brewery and distillery site in city.

The crowd funding callout promises a big investment in the north – aiming to provide more jobs for the region, as well as revenue.

The initial wave of funding would support the implementation of an upgraded canning line, as well as new tanks. This upgrade will caterer to the brand's growing production demands from major retailers, like ASDA and ALDI, as well as supporting its capacity to fulfil new craft beer arena tenders and contracts.  

As part of the expansion plans, SEVEN BRO7HERS is looking to secure brand-new location to build their 'forever home' by 2026. The new site will be the base for a brewhouse, a custom-made distillery, packaging, and operations, plus an onsite taproom and restaurant.

CEO Keith McAvoy, said: “We don't expect this funding round to be able to finance all our ambitious plans, but this round will lay the groundwork. It will allow us to staff and resource the right team to make this dream into a reality. ​

“It's our ambition to have a new venue operational by 2026, and this new premises would support group revenue to exceed £30m before 2030.”

The latest crowd fund is targeted to raise £500,000 at a valuation of £12m – this is up 50% from when SEVEN BRO7HERS crowdfunded in 2020.

Keith McAvoy, went on to say: “We've operated from the same brewery since 2017, we're  now nearing operational capacity.​ We have two investment scenarios available to us; one is an overhaul and increase of capacity within our current premises, the second is to invest in a new destination brewery in Manchester, suitable for growth over the next two decades.​

“We have several retail opportunities available to us, not only in Manchester but cities across the north including Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham and York and further south into Birmingham and London. ​Which, of course, we can only explore with more operational space.”

He added: “Initially we're raising to support the current production site; increasing volume and speed of packaging, then looking to invest significantly in a future home for the business this year and in 2024.”

The brewery was founded in 2014 by McAvoy brothers, Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg, inspired by their dad's home-brewing efforts in their cellar at home.

Since crowd funding in 2020, the brewery has utilised every penny invested to maximise the return on investment and promote growth within the business. The total investment, including founder funding is £1.3m from which the company has generated cumulative revenues of more than £14m.

SEVEN BRO7HERS have four successful beer houses and a taproom across Salford, Manchester, and Liverpool. Most recently the brothers opened a summer pop-up in Manchester City Centre within the 'Kampus' residential complex, there are currently discussions in place to make this a permanent fixture in the portfolio.

In July 2020 they opened their partnership bar at Manchester Airports new T2 Departure Lounge, operated by HMS Host International.

This Summer SEVEN BRO7HERS and SIS4ERS DISTILLERY will be collaborating on the launch of a new brand “ELEVEN CENTRAL” this will include a range of spirits.

SEVEN BRO7HERS will be offering 'investor rewards' to those who support the crowd fund. A £25 investment will get you a free pint at one of the SEVEN BRO7HERS beer houses, with £100 securing you dinner as a thank you.

Larger investments mean greater perks, £250 a 5% off investors card for the webshop and bars, £1,000 will get you 10% off. For those investing over £10k you will receive a monthly case of beers for 12 months plus discounts.

To invest in the crowd fund, head to https://www.crowdcube.com/early-access/seven-bro7hers.

(That's Food and Drink: I'll be working in Liverpool city centre this week. I'll pop in for a drink if I can.)

Peanut Butter Milk Stouts

This is another of my Home Bargains beer purchases. These beers are brewed by the Tailgate Brewery of Nashville, Tennessee. https://www.tailgatebeer.com.

I love peanut butter. I particularly like peanut butter whiskey, but especially with properly hot Jamaican ginger beer. Not ginger beer, but ginger ale.

But on to the peanut butter milk stout, plain and with strawberry jelly/jam.

Peanut Butter milk stout. There was definitely a strong peanut butter aroma from the beer. And it did have a peanut butter like colouration.

There was a peanut butter taste plus a strong, malty taste and a somewhat bitter aftertaste.

The Peanut Butter and Strawberry milk stout had a similar colouration. It tasted very similar to the peanut butter milk stout, but there was also a slightly sweet undertone that I attributed to the strawberry jelly content. 

However, tin my opinion, the strawberry flavour was not strong enough to make any real headway through the stronger peanut butter flavour. If I were brewing this stout I'd certainly consider adding more strawberry jelly to the recipe because of this.

I'd have to point out that, although these beers are interesting and well worth seeking out, that they are not really to be considered as milk stouts, to be completely honest.

However, they are intriguing enough that I'll certainly be looking out for beers from Tailgate Brewery in the future.  

To check out the beer range at Home Bargains use their store locator service https://storelocator.homebargains.co.uk

Or you can visit your website at https://home.bargains

From memory I think I paid about £1.49 a can.

There's a fantastic new way to keep your Craft Beers chilled this summer, the Craft Beer Icebox

The Best of British Beer Icebox is here to revolutionise summer craft beer enjoyment. Icebox is reusable and recyclable and keeps your cans at the perfect drinking temperature.

At the heart of the Craft Beer Icebox is an innovative reusable and recyclable cardboard ice bucket. Crafted from sturdy, eco-friendly materials, Icebox offers the perfect solution to keeping your beers refreshingly cool for hours.

Fantastic at a festival, brilliant on the beach, great in the garden and perfect for the park, Icebox comes with 6 x 440ml cans of craft beer from some of our favourite independent British breweries and can be used again and again, reducing waste.

All you need to do is remove the top, pop in some ice and you are good to go. When you’re finished, empty out any water out and flatten the box and it’s ready for next time, no need to wander around with a bulky plastic chiller.

For more information please get in touch with will bestofbritishbeer.co.uk.

Chur Bro New Zealand IPA

Another of my beer purchases from Home Bargains was a can of Chur Bro New Zealand IPA.

It's from the Off Axis Brew Company and has an alcohol vol of 6.2%.

It's brewed and canned under contract in the UK exclusively for TJM Ltd, the owners of Home Bargains.

It's a delightfully hoppy IPA, which is brewed using the following New Zealand hops: Pacific Jade, Motueka, Raku and Wakatu.

Unlike some heavily hopped IPAs this has a strong level of hoppiness, but it's not overbearing as can be the case with some IPAs, especially those produced by some brewers on the West Coast of the USA.

New Zealand has, over the past decade or so, began to forge a pathway to become a centre of IP excellence, but with a style all of its own.

There's an excellent mouthfeel, an enticing bitterness and a good degree of hop flavours that mean this beer is a great IPA right to the last drop.

I think it's about £1.49 for a 440ml can.

https://untappd.com/b/tiny-rebel-brewing-co-chur-bro/2821834

DC Brau Penn Quarter Porter

DC Brau Penn Quarter Porter is described as a "robust porter.

It is brewed and canned in Washington DC by the DC Brau Brewing company LLC.

It is made using barley, oats, hops yeast and water. 

It has an alcohol level by vol of 5.5%, so is a medium strength porter.

How does it taste? Absolutely delicious! Yes, it's a very decent porter which is robust and very well-rounded. It leaves a very pleasant aftertaste. 

Penn Quarter is a part of Washington DC famed for being the home of Ford's Theatre, where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

Where did I find this delicious porter? In my local Home Bargains branch! Home Bargains happens to stock an interesting range of bottled and canned beers and ales. Even more than some wine and spirit merchants.

It cost £1.49, I recall.

Give the Gift of Artisan Beer This Father's Day With Empress Ale

This Father's Day, British artisan beer brand Empress Ale is offering the perfect gift for dads everywhere. 

Empress Ales are premium craft British beers made using the finest natural ingredients, sourced as locally as possible, wherever this is possible. 

The range, which includes a Pale Ale, an IPA, and a Pilsner-style lager that's gluten-free, organic and vegan, are smooth, light and easy to drink and are designed to be enjoyed whatever the occasion.

They're stocked in venues and restaurants all over the UK, including City Social by Jason Atherton, the Goodman Group, and Adams in Birmingham, plus in branches of Waitrose.

But the perfect way to get a gift direct to a dad this Father's Day is to order from the Empress website, treating the beer fan in your life to a selection of the Empress beers or perhaps a few bottles of their favourite?

To celebrate the occasion, Empress is giving an extra 10% discount for online orders for Father's Day, along with free shipping. 

Entrepreneur Surj Virk set up Empress in 2016, growing it into a premium brand stocked in some of the top hospitality venues across the UK.

A dad himself, he said the range makes the perfect gift, on Father's Day or all-year round, - because of the personal touch that's gone into creating it. 

“Empress is a hugely personal beer brand," he said. “The whole range has been created with love - a British-made beer using old English recipes for inspiration, but also with a nod to my Indian heritage and some very personal tributes to members of my family.

“Our Pale Ale, IPA, and Pilsner-style Lager are all proving hugely popular - both when served with food in restaurants across the country, and when bought direct from us to either go with food at home, or to drink with family and friends.

“That means they make great gift options for any occasion, and for Father's Day we're offering a special discount code to treat the dad in your life. Just add FATHER2023 when at the online checkout and you'll get an extra 10% off and free shipping when you spend over £45.”

For more information and to order online, visit www.empressale.com.

Ticket - a Truly Differentiated, Low-No Beer That's Championing the Functional & Flavour Benefits of Saffron

As the most expensive spice in the world, it's fair to suggest anyone who dabbles with saffron would have to be absolutely convinced by the various compelling health benefits of this mineral and vitamin rich ingredient.  

The UK Low/no category is growing as more and more consumers seek to either curb or abstain from alcoholic consumption, either as part of either a healthier living, evolving lifestyle or saving money agenda.

The simple reality is growing numbers of millennials no longer see alcohol to be a lynchpin of their health-conscious lifestyles, opting instead for regimes of light yet fulfilling functional foods, gyms and active outdoors existences.

Ticket pale ale is a young craft beer provider and low/no trail blazer whose unique pale ale with its distinct saffron twist was recently shortlisted to make the finals of this year's free-from awards

Such is the proliferation of best-in-class, low/no beers and wines that it is becoming increasing tough to differentiate a beautifully balanced low/no craft beer from its everyday alcoholic peers. 

Says co-founder Ali Porushani: "Ticket Pale Ale is based on a traditional non-alcoholic Persian pale ale that was once very popular in old-school Iran, a beer famed for its meticulous small batch production and the use of best-in-class, locally sourced Persian saffron. 

"As with so many spheres of food and drink, an increasingly cluttered marketplace means it isn't easy to stand out, although latest trade feedback suggests distinctive flavour profiles, exoticness & inbuilt functional benefits are key drivers when differentiating 'category heroes' from 'support cast' beverages."

Ticket pale ale involves pairing saffron with floor-malted barley to produce something that is genuinely refreshing and distinct.  

The increasingly well-appreciated functional benefits associated with saffron means it provides a worthy substitute for alcohol in terms of positively affecting people's moods and energy levels, combining a beneficial mood lift in tandem with a truly refreshing drinking experience.

 One of the leading lights of Alcohol Change certainly thought so with his recent upbeat review of Ticket's first foray into UK craft beers.

 "After tasting (quite literally) hundreds of alcohol-free drinks, we've come to one conclusion: if you're going to make a beer with no alcohol, it must be something else to make it really memorable. This Ticket pale ale certainly has that. Uniquely (we think) it's made with saffron and lavender.

"It comes in a great looking bottle: in purple and gold with a swirling pattern like electromagnetic waves. The saffron gives the beer a striking yellow hue like no other. There are plenty of citrusy hops and the lavender adds extra floral notes. It may be a bit too much if you're looking for a straightforward light beer – it's definitely one for those who appreciate a flavour-packed pale ale."

But there's more! Later this summer Ticket will be launching their second low-no proposition, which is an equally special lemongrass infused lager.

t-cket.co.uk

Barracuda Pub Group Crown 2012 as the year of the beer

The Barracuda Pub Group, a national pub operator who run over 160 Smith & Jones pubs across the UK, are looking to extend Christmas cheer by making 2012 the year of the beer.

Throughout January, Barracuda will be offering Greene King’s Tolly English Ale, a lower strength beer which, at 2.8% (abv), qualifies for a 50% reduction in the rate of duty payable to the Treasury, for £1.29 in the majority of its pubs. Pubs based in Scotland will be offering Caledonian’s Deuchars IPA and those in Wales will be offering Brains Bitter.

Richard Stringer from the Barracuda Pub Group said; “2012 is the perfect time to showcase all that is good and great about the British pub, with the Olympics, the Diamond Jubilee and all the visitors that these events will attract.

The pub is the only place to truly enjoy a pint of excellent ale and we want to encourage all those visiting the country to sample Britain’s national drink. We’ll be starting our commitment to cask ale with our January offer and throughout the year we will be creating activity to positively promote cask ale in our business. We will also be delivering further training to our managers to ensure that every pint of cask ale served in our business is in perfect condition and leaves our customers with nothing but good things to say about cask ale.”

To find your nearest Smith & Jones pub, please visit: www.smithandjonespubs.com

(EDITOR: I know where my nearest Smith and Jones pub is! I think I'll be paying it a visit, this week!)

Laverstoke Park beers for Christmas and the New Year

The first thing one notices about the beers that Laverstoke Park produces is that they actually do taste like beer.

Now, whilst the idea of beers that taste like beers might be somewhat confusing to some people, please let me explain what I mean.

I speak -or rather, write- as someone with considerable experience as a drinker of beers and as a writer on beers. Sad to say, some beers do not taste particularly pleasant.

I remember one brewer of organic ales who worked very, very hard to brew his beers. But somehow or for some reason he had decided to use smoked malt in all of his different types of beer. The result was not good.

However, it has to be said that the folks at Laverstoke Park know what they are doing!

Their Organic Real Ale is 5.0% ABV. It has a pleasingly light flavour, though the malty character of this finely crafted ale does combine nicely with the yeast and the hoppy goodness, though there's a rather nice and welcome surprise, a fruity undertone that means it will go very well with Christmas dinner, Christmas cake, mince pies and will be a great toast for the Queen's Chirstmas Message!

Next we come to the Laverstoke Park Organic Real Lager. At 4.5%
 it is a good, decent strength and is exactly what a lager should taste like. It has the characteristically lager style taste (not all lagers do!) and it is a light and refreshing beer, ideal for those who know their Continental style beers.  Ideal for drinking with all Christmas foods, and for just drinking whilst you think nice thoughts about what Christmas really means. I would suggest getting in a good supply of this Real Lager and watching every film version of the Charles Dickens novel a Christmas Carol that you can!

www.laverstokepark.co.uk

King of Beers? The crown belongs to W J King, Brewers!

W. J. King area proud traditional brewer based in Horsham, West Sussex.

Although they declare themselves to be a new style micro brewery, they are clearly more akin to the master brewers of yesterday, when each town of note -and with a good supply of water- had at least two or three breweries, each producing some extremely fine beers all under the watchful eye of the master brewer.

And this is what drinkers will get this Christmas and New Year should they be fortunate enough to find themselves drinking beers brewed by W J King.

Because W J King are proper, traditional brewers of finely crafted ales who do not compromise on brewing technique or on the fine ingredients that they use.

Their IPA, for example, is a fine example of this style of beer. Although it is heavily hopped, this is not over done so the high hop content is well balanced and there is a wonderful fruity tang that supports the hoppy bitterness.

There Market Porter is another fine beer. My wife -an expert on Porter style beers- has declared this the finest Porter she has drunk in many a year!

It is darkly roasted, and yes, one can imagine Victorian market porters using this to slake their considerable thirst before heading back, satisfied, for several hours more hard work. And then, after work, imbibing some more of it before making their way home.

These are only two beers from their extensive range of CAMRA recognised and bottle conditioned beers. To find out more and where to buy them visit www.kingbeer.co.uk

You must get a selection in for Christmas and the New Year.

Best of beer writing honoured at beer writers’ banquet: Ben McFarland crowned as beer writer of the year

Ben McFarland was crowned Beer Writer of the Year at the British Guild of Beer Writers Annual Awards Dinner on 1st December.

The Beer Writer of the Year is chosen from one of seven category winners which seek to find the very best of beer writing and journalism in the UK.

As well as picking up the overall title, McFarland also won the Fuller’s ESB Award for Best Writing for the Beer & Pub Trade.

Last year’s winner and chairman of the judges Simon Jenkins said: “Ben is really setting the standard for writing about beer. His work is always interesting and informative – and his passion for the subject really shines through everything he writes.”

Other winners named at the event at the London Riverside Park Plaza included Mark Dredge for beer and food writing, Martyn Cornell in the online category for his blog ‘Zythophile’ and Marverine Cole, for her regional television work.

Pete Brown scooped the new award for corporate communications, Des de Moor picked up the beer and travel writing prize, and Adrian Tierney-Jones was named national journalist of the year. The Guild’s Brewer of the Year was named as Kernel Brewery’s Evin O’Riordain

Results in full:

Brewer of the Year 2011 - Evin O’Riordain, Kernel Brewery

Budweiser Budvar John White Travel Bursary - prize £1,000 plus trip to Czech Republic . Winner: Des de Moor

Shepherd Neame 1698 Award for Beer and Food Writing - prize £1,000. Winner: Mark Dredge

Thwaites Award for Best Corporate Communications - prize £1,000. Winner: Pete Brown

Brains SA Gold Award for Best Use of Online Media - £1,000 & £500. Winner: Martyn Cornell; Silver Award: Mark Charlwood

Adnams Award for Best Writing in Regional Media - prize £1,000 & £500. Winner: Marverine Cole; Silver Award: Gavin Aitchison

Fuller’s ESB Award for Best Writing for the Beer and Pub Trade - prize £1,000 & £500 . Winner: Ben McFarland: Silver Award: Glynn Davis

Molson Coors Award for Best Writing in National Media - prize £1,000 & £500 Winner: Adrian Tierney-Jones; Silver Award: Will Hawkes

The Michael Jackson Gold Award – Beer Writer of the Year 2011: Ben McFarland

Judges this year were: Simon Jenkins, winner of the 2010 Beer Writer of the Year title; Fiona Matthias, executive editor of The Sunday Telegraph; Martin Ross, journalist, writer and home brewer; Martin Kellaway, founder of Wharfebank Brewery in Leeds and Joanna Copestick, who has commissioned and published a number of books about beer.

Simon Jenkins added: "The exciting thing for myself and my fellow judges was seeing the sheer range of material which is being published about beer – whether in books, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and online."

"This reflects a fundamental change in Britain’s brewing industry, which has seen huge numbers of micro-brewers and craft brewers posing an increasing challenge to the dominance of the industry’s big boys. These brewers have brought hundreds of new beers to the market, and opened up to customers a vast new array of tastes, styles and experiences."

"These awards celebrate the very best in British beer writing. The scope, scale and variety of the work created by the winners is astonishing, and show that writing about our national drink is now being treated very seriously indeed."

On the Brewer of the Year Award given to Evin O’Riordain, British Guild of Beer Writers chairman Tim Hampson said: “Even though the Kernel brewery is not yet two years old, Evin O'Riordan and his team have created some of the most stunning beers in the country. If you're thinking about the London craft beer scene, just saying the phrase 'Craft Brewer' evokes images of this microbrewer working in his train arch brewery.

“The creative flair of O'Riordan with his passion for collaboration and generosity of spirit which has produced beers such as IPA Black, London Brick, Big Brick to name just three, speaks volumes about what is going on in the London craft beer scene and it's down to people like Evin.”

More than 230 journalists, brewers and pub operators attended the dinner at the London Riverside Park Plaza. The British Guild of Beer Writers was established in 1988 to help spread the word about beer and brewing and improve standards of beer writing in general. Today the Guild has more than 150 members – to find out more go to www.beerwriters.co.uk.

PICTURED: (l-r) Ben McFarland, Beer Writer of the Year 2011 and Simon Jenkins, chair of judges, British Guild of Beer Writers Annual Awards 2011

British Guild of Beer Writers www.beerwriters.co.uk

(EDITOR: The hearty congratulations of That's Food and Drink go to all concerned. Well done for helping to promote good, healthy British real ales!)

Fantastic! Caskmarque launches Real Ale Trail Caskfinder App!

The popular CaskFinder smartphone application has launched the World’s Biggest Ale Trail.

Available for iPhone and Android, the World's Biggest Ale Trail offers customers the chance to use their phone's camera to scan QR codes placed on Cask Marque certificates in accredited pubs. There are 7,500 Cask Marque pubs and bars across the UK to choose from to take part in the World’s Biggest Ale Trail.

The app records the number of pubs visited and rewards prizes for milestones of 25, 50 and 100 pubs. Once you have scanned 100 pub barcodes you become a Cask Marque ambassador, which includes the opportunity to spend the day with an assessor, visiting a number of pubs to see how Cask Marque ensure a quality pint.

Real ale is helping to save the great British institution of the pub - the recent Cask Report found cask drinkers are more than twice more likely to visit pubs on a regular basis than non-cask drinkers. With the opportunity to try before you buy, cask is recruiting new drinkers – 10% of drinkers tried it for the first time in the last 12 months.

Cask Marque Director, Paul Nunny, who is responsible for the quality of ale in pubs said: “Cask ale is a British institution which should be celebrated by everyone up and down the country. The CaskFinder app helps customers get the most out of their pub visits and rate their favourite beers, sharing tried and tested favourites with other app users.”

Download the upgraded version of CaskFinder straightaway to start your very own World’s Biggest Ale Trail.

For any further information please contact Anna Jones or Sarah Stevenson at Seal on 0121 616 5800 or sarahstevenson@seal.uk.com

FACTFILE:

CaskFinder is designed to help consumers enjoy and appreciate Cask Ale wherever they may be in the UK! Combining data from the Cask Marque pub quality inspection scheme and the Cyclops® beer standardisation initiative, both industry sponsored bodies, CaskFinder has a host of features to aid customers in the pursuit of ale drinking.

On top of the NEW World’s Biggest Ale trail, CaskFinder has a range of features for any beer enthusiast:

• CaskFinder uses the location-awareness of the smartphone to show customers their nearest Cask Marque award winning pubs – 7,500 to choose from
• Details of the cask beers on sale in each pub
• Description of over 1,000 beers from 250 brewers using Cyclops Beer database
• Rate beers to help other ale fans
• Find similar beers
• Beer Festivals – a complete list with contact details, admission prices and maps
• Beer Blog – from award winning writer, Pete Brown, that gives you an inside track on the beer industry
• Beer of the Week – a featured beer of interest
• New Bar code reader for bottled beers – try it on your Tiger beer to get the full Cyclops descriptors and suggested beers for you to try

Cask Marque was set up in 1998 to promote cask ale but in particular beer quality.

The 7,500 award winning Cask Marque pubs receive 2 unannounced visits a year and the qualified assessors check up to six beers on the bar for temperature, taste, appearance and aroma. Any adverse consumer feedback triggers a mystery drinker visit.

The app allows consumers to keep a pub guide in their pocket with stacks of useful information. Currently 46% of consumers who drink cask ale recognise the Cask Marque plaque (NOP survey)

Brand New Beer Bonanza For Staffordshire!

This year’s Stone Food & Drink Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the inception of a brand new event for beer-lovers – The Titanic Brewery ‘Best of Staffordshire Beer Festival’.

With over a dozen Staffordshire brewers taking part, including Blythe, Enville, Burton Bridge – and of course, Titanic - this new addition will make The Stone Food & Drink Festival the go-to event for ale lovers.

Taste of Staffordshire members, Titanic Brewery, have attended Stone’s premier celebration of all things gastronomic for the past three years, and this year have invited fellow Staffordshire brewers to come along and celebrate the county’s fantastic and distinctive ale offer with them.

Dave Bott, Director at Titanic Brewery, said: “We have always thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the festival, but this year we decided that we wanted to look at the bigger picture and invite other brewers to come and get involved.

“The Best of Staffordshire Beer Festival will add a whole new dimension to The Stone Food & Drink Festival and we would encourage anyone with a passion for real ale to come along and sample some of the best that the county has to offer.”

With a huge variety of beers, from light to dark, bitters to stouts, and various strengths and styles, this year’s Stone Food & Drink Festival, from Friday 30th September – Sunday 2nd October is not to be missed for anyone with an appreciation of ale!

Now in its seventh year, The Stone Food & Drink Festival continues to be sponsored by Taste of Staffordshire, the county’s foremost mark of taste and quality for local food and drink.

Pure, natural beer indulgence with Daas

Daas is a new range of premium, organic & handmade craft beers, lovingly & traditionally brewed in Belgium and strictly follow the same brewing method dating back over 9 centuries.

Daas produce premium & organic beers that strictly follow the Belgian brewing principles & techniques dating back over 900 years. Brewed in Hainaut the Belgian province renowned for fine beer production and part of the agriculturally rich Walloon Region, Daas offer the consumer three very different craft beers. These supreme beverages are organically and ethically made and deliver a unique taste experience to a dense market.

Daas say “Our beers are top Fermented Bottle Conditioned beers’ meaning they undergo a second fermentation in the bottle, similar to Champagne production. Dass continue; “This contributes to the overall quality and flavour of the beer, but also ensures that the liquid remains stable for longer than a pasteurised beer.”

Due to the refined ingredients and brewing process, Daas is being served at the dinner table instead of the usual bottle of wine. Each of the three beers rewards the palette with something special and pair very well with most dishes.

The range consists of:-

Daas Organic Ambre (6.5% ABV)

Daas Ambre is traditional rich and complex Belgian Ambre ale. The deep fragrant aromas with smooth caramel and sweetly mellow malt flavours finish with dry and delicately spiced hops. Great when hooked up with a traditional roast dinner of lamb, chicken or beef.

Daas Organic Blond (6.5% ABV) Daas Blond is an authentic strong Belgium beer, its honey and spice aroma and perfect balance of bittersweet flavours are followed by a classic dry hope finish. Blond is an ideal aperitif and a worthy pairing to spicy foods such as Indian, Vietnamese and Thai.

Daas Organic Witte (5.0% ABV)

Daas Witte is a naturally cloudy Belgian wheat beer. The fruity aroma and refreshing blend of subtle citrus and spice flavors compliment its crisply dry and bitter hop finish. Goes down well with seasonal seafood and sushi.

The three Daas Craft Beers, Witte, Blond and Ambre RRP £2.49

Daas is the only Belgian craft beer to carry the UK Soil Association Organic certification and the Belgian Certisys Organic certification. They grow their own barley in our farms and use locally sourced hops that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilisers which they believe makes Daas beers ultimately more appetising.

The beers are suitable for vegetarian and vegan drinkers and both Blond and Ambre will soon be gluten free. Daas will continue to develop its links with organic and ethical traders with the aim of eventually becoming a carbon neutral beer; it is delivery by road to the UK that allows Daas to wear the Zero Air Miles badge with pride.

Daas guarantee “Each brew is hand crafted by a solo master brewer with two dedicated assistants and we fully intend to keep it that way.” Craft beer is about creating a flavourful, high-quality beer, which in most cases is very different from the mass-produced beer. Like all artisanal craft breweries their approach towards creativity, exploration and sustainability remains second to non.

Since their recent launch Daas has won numerous awards, supporting that both trade and consumer not only appreciate the taste but also the brands ethical standards and the attention paid when making the beers. Their marketing slogan of “The Pure Indulgence” backs up their use of the finest ingredients and the brand’s conscientious ideals.

Daas finish by saying “For many people it is not a question of drowning a few cold beers as possible, it is more a question of finding the right taste, the right beer for the right occasion.”

Daas is available throughout the UK from specialist, luxury and organic retailers. The beers are also on the shelf at selected stores of Waitrose, Able & Cole and can be purchased online at www.daasbeer.com & www.ocado.com

For enquiries outside the UK visit www.daasbeer.com

Badger Golden Champion. Makes your barbecue the perfect Summer meal

The award-winning beer, Golden Champion is another stunning beer from Badger ales. And it really is the perfect accompaniment when you are eating al fresco or barbecuing this summer.

Its light, refreshing character is distinguished by its subtle elderflower notes which create a soft, floral thirst-quenching fruitiness.

As well-known beer journalist and blogger Pete Brown writes, “Flavoured beer doesn’t always have to mean fruit beer. Golden Champion is delicately imbued with elderflower; enough to add a distinctive taste, but not enough to become cloying or overpowering. This crisp, clean ale comes with a hint of perfumed floral character that seems to hover just above the tongue, perfectly evoking late summer evenings.  Probably the best barbecue beer in the world.”

“If you’re looking for a beer to sip on a warm summer evening or one to put some life into your BBQ, Golden Champion will make an ideal companion all summer long as this golden ale has a clean delicate, crisp depth of flavour – perfect when served chilled.” adds Toby Heasman, Head Brewer at Hall & Woodhouse. 

“The water used in all Badger ales is Dorset Spring water that has been naturally filtered for up to a century through the Cretaceous chalk downs and drawn up 120 feet from the Brewery’s own wells.  The heritage of the Hall & Woodhouse yeast dates back to 1934 and our then Head Brewer, John Elliot Douglas. From this date it has been nurtured by our brewers. Despite being 75 years old and having completed over 15,000 brews it is still growing and fermenting as well as ever.

“We use only the very best raw, natural ingredients to brew our premium ales, which are created from recipes that have been passed from generation to generation.  We are proud of our history and provenance in Dorset and both are fundamental to the fine quality of each one of our premium ales,” concludes Toby. 

Golden Champion (5% ABV) is available in 500ml bottles nationally from ASDA, Morrisons and Waitrose and online at www.badgerdirect.com.  It has a RRP of £1.75 per bottle.

FACTFILE:

Hall & Woodhouse, based in Blandford St. Mary, Dorset is the largest family brewer of packaged premium ales in the UK.  Under its award-winning brand name of Badger, Hall & Woodhouse brews some of the Country’s most distinctive bottled ales and has twice been awarded World Champion Beer with Tanglefoot and Badger First Gold at the International Brewing Industry Awards and has a record five Tesco Drinks Awards under its belt.  Badger bottled ales have grown 11 fold in the last decade and boast 9% market share of bottled ales in Multiple Grocers; more than double the market share in 2000. 

(EDITOR: All Badger Ales are distinguished by one fact. They all taste very, very good! Trust me, I am a drinker!)

Tesco Real Food announces that home brew is booming

Tesco Real Food has announced that home brewing is booming and it has seen sales of beer and wine making kits soar by 50 per cent over the past year.

The UK's top supplier of home brew kits, Youngs, also reports a boom in sales and commented that national sales are some 40 per cent.

Youngs said that the main reason behind the boom is that making beer and wine at home has never been easier. New technology and new designs means that amateur brewers can create their favourite tipple at home in half the time it used to take, around two hours instead of four hours to prepare. It will then take about a month for the ale or cider to be ready to drink, while wine may take as much as six weeks before it is completely ready.

In the past many people were put off making home brew because it was considered a fiddly operation worthy of a laboratory technician; but that's no longer the case.

Tesco home brew specialist Wayne Byron said: "We have seen a boom in 'foodies' as it has become fashionable to make dishes from scratch and even grow your own herbs and vegetables. Now young people in their 20s and 30s are turning their attention and skills to creating their own vintage or tipple. They are joining the more traditional home brew enthusiasts, who tend to be retired. It is a brilliant way of exploring new flavours - whether a fruity lager or a flowery wine - and it is great value, too."

For more information visit www.tesco.com/food