Barrels of fun enjoyed at Cask Ale Week

Brewery tours, dray horses, models and sausages have all been part of the promotional activities organised by brewers taking part in Cask Ale Week.

The week, which ran from September 17 until September 23, was organised by the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB) to promote cask ale and attract a new generation of drinkers.

Four Manchester brewers, Hydes, JW Lees, Holts and Frederic Robinson (see picture)​, joined up to launch Cask Ale Week by taking a traditional dray around Manchester to visit pubs.

Oliver Mason, spokesman for Robinson's, said: "We went to a pub for each brewery and it went down very well - we stopped all the traffic as we drove round Manchester."

Jennings arranged an open day at its Cumbria brewery as the finale to a week of events which included drinkers being given promotional glasses, quiz nights and special dishes on pub menus, made with Jennings beer.

More food was on offer from Bedford brewer Charles Wells, which launched Bombay Bangers (sausages), which are being promoted alongside Bombardier Bitter, into its Eagle Inns estate.

Many of the brewers that are members of the IFBB took part in the week and hoped to see thousands of drinkers try cask ale for the first time.

"This week is a great opportunity for anyone involved in the production, distribution and selling of this corner of England's heritage," said Charles Wells managing director Paul Wells, "and to further enhance the reputation of cask ale and introduce it to as many people as possible."

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Cask Ale Week gets under way (13 September 2001)