Cask ale
Cask ale quality accreditation body Cask Marque and wholesaler The Beer Seller have teamed up at this year's Pub & Bar to promote the continuing popularity of cask beer among consumers.
"The Brewery Showcase will give licensees and pub group retailers the opportunity to taste seasonal beers, a category that is becoming more popular," said Paul Nunny of Cask Marque.
"This activity will give cask ale and Cask Marque a high profile at the show and support the growing interest in the sector."
The Beer Seller will be running a seasonal beer competition between 12 brewers who have each submitted beers for judgement by the exhibition's visitors. The most popular brew will be listed in The Beer Seller's cask beer catalogue and each day one lucky voter will have the chance to win a firkin of their favourite ale. Competitors are:
- George Bateman & SonCombine Harvest
- Hardys & HansonsGuzzling Goose
- Jennings BrothersCross Buttock Ale
- The Mauldons Brewery BeerMid Summer Gold
- NethergateScutchers
- Shepherd NeameLate Red
- St AustellRuby Jack
- ThwaitesThoroughbred
- TitanicDogwatch
- Tom Wood Traditional AlesLincolnshire Legend
- W H Brakspear & SonsHop Demon
- WychwoodShe Devil
Cask Marque is also running a programme of talks and tastings throughout the three days focusing on topics which can help licensees boost their sales of cask beer as well as introducing them to the benefits of becoming accredited with the Cask Marque.
12.30pm Cellar management & serving the perfect pint
- Mike Powell-Evans, head brewer, Adnams
- Peter Laws, head brewer, Jennings
- Derek Lowe, head brewer, George Gale
Learn, first hand from a head brewer, the golden rules in cellar management, the dispense equipment that must be installed by your brewer to ensure beer is served at the correct temperature and the important role that barstaff play in delivering the perfect pint. A question and answer session will follow.
2.00pm Improving sales of cask ale
- John Roberts, brewing & brands director, Fullers
- Guy Newall, managing director, The Beer Seller
- Steve Crawley, sales & marketing director, Caledonian
Cask ale is unique to the British pub. Are you making the most of the opportunity to promote cask ale? A few simple but effective ideas will be discussed including a "Try Before You Buy" scheme that is being launched nationally.
3.30pm Tutored Beer Tasting
- Roger Protz, editor of the Good Beer Guide
- Rupert Ponsonby, National Hop Association
- Debbie Parker, Brewing Research International
Be led through a tasting of six beers by a leading journalist who will explain the different characteristics of each beer. Find out how to promote beer with food. The wine industry has had things all its own way for far too long!
