Siba action stamps on unauthorised cask use

By Tony Halstead The Society of Independent Brewers is claiming a "great result" after halting the unauthorised use of casks by the Landlord's Friends wholesale company. Siba has alleged that the west Yorkshire-based company attempted to disguise ownership of the casks with pink paint before travelling south to buy beer from brewers, who filled the containers. Several full containers were seized by police, who visited the company at Luddenden Foot, near Halifax, accompanied by a Siba official. The visit to the wholesaler followed several complaints by Siba members who suspected their casks were being filled with "foreign" beer. Siba commercial director Nick Stafford said the wholesaler had now been stopped in his tracks but further investigation was needed to determine how the "scam" had operated. "Despite the pink paint the owner-brewery of the casks was still clearly visible and it comes as a surprise that these brewers were prepared to fill them. "We will be carrying out further enquiries but the problem of missing and lost casks within the industry is well known and some people have let the side down," he said. He added: "Nevertheless we are delighted to have been able to take action to assist the prevention of future cask misuse and it is a great result for Siba." Stafford said that although only a handful of casks had been discovered at the wholesaler's premises, he was confident many more containers had been used in the same way. A man was arrested and interviewed by police but has since been released on bail.