Bathwater beer warning as temp soars
The surprisingly warm British summer has prompted beer inspectors to issue a warning about 'bathwater beer' being served in too many pubs.
Inspectors from Cask Marque found every other pint they checked was being served too warm.
The results of 200 mystery shopper-style pub visits revealed 53 per cent of punters receiving a bad beer above the brewers' recommended temperature of between 11 and 13C.
In hot weather there is nothing more refreshing than a pint of cask conditioned ale.Paul Nunny, Cask Marque.
Bars in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and Keswick, Cumbria, were spotted pulling pints as warm as 23C.
And in one extreme case in Dartford a Cask Marque inspector was presented with an undrinkable 30C pint, something more akin to bathwater than beer.
With air temperatures expected to soar to a sweltering 36C in the South East today and the Met Office officially declaring heatwave conditions, Cask Marque director Paul Nunny says it's time to give UK licensees a severe weather warning of their own.
He said: "In hot weather there is nothing more refreshing than a pint of cask conditioned ale.
"So we're rather concerned that too many pubs - more than half of the ones our inspectors visited - are getting it wrong and serving warm pints.
"The perfect pint of cask ale should be cool, not cold, as well as crystal clear with an appetising aroma and moorish aftertaste.
"Licensees must keep a close eye on their cellar temperature and make certain cooling equipment from the cellar to the bar is fully operational. And customers shouldn't be afraid to ask for a replacement if their beer isn't up to scratch."
Your CommentsKevin O'Conner via email 19/07/2006We dispense Tetley's Cask [despised by the beard,sandals and pipe brigade] through the beer python and sell it slightly colder than cellar temp.
We use plastic non-return valves and fob detectors [also hated by the brigade]
We also use 22oz glasses and serve with a thick creamy head [Yes and No with CAMRA]
Until you get rid of the CAMRA culture of selling flat warm beer at room temperature things will not change.
