Punch tenants given access to guest ale scheme

Punch Taverns is running a trial allowing a greater number of its pubs to buy locally produced beer direct from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

The body's Direct Delivery Scheme (DDS) organises distribution on behalf of its micro-brewing members.

Around 170 pubs in Punch's recently-renamed Partnerships tenanted division are involved in the trial, which is being run in the Midlands and North East. Individual licensees can choose to buy beer from SIBA, although the conditions of their beer tie will otherwise apply.

The trial began on Monday and is set to run for three months. At its conclusion, Punch will assess the results in conjunction with SIBA and decide whether to make the service permanently available.

Around 50 Punch sites had previously been allowed to buy beer through the DDS. These were some of the former tenants of Avebury Taverns, the group acquired in 2005 by Punch, which was understood to be disapproving of the inherited business practice at the time of the deal.

However the move could be seen as a change in direction by Punch since Roger Whiteside took over the tenanted and leased division a year ago.

SIBA commercial director Nick Stafford said: "SIBA brewers are delighted to be able to help Punch Taverns take advantage of the only growing sector in the brewing industry. Local brewers are very keen to continue their growth, in partnership with Punch, by providing consumers with what they want - quality cask beer."

Punch's trial is more good news for brewers of cask beer during a week in which The Cask Report: Britain's National Drink pointed to distribution growing and pubs profiting through the product.