MPs across parties backing the trade

Related tags Brewing industry Brewing Beer United kingdom

(L-R) IBD executive director Simon jackson, St Austell Brewery MD James Staughton, Mp Andrew Griffiths, IBD president Donals Nelson, St Austell head brewer Roger Ryman

MPs across political parties are getting behind the pub and brewing industry, All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman Andrew Griffiths assured brewers at a parliamentary reception last week.

He was hosting some of the UK’s top brewers at an annual dinner for the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) in the House of Commons.

He said: “Whenever we (MPs) discuss the brewing industry and pub industry there is a coming together across the political divide in support.

“There are many doing their level best to help you carry on what you are doing. The good news is there are many in Parliament who are behind the industry.

“We believe that the more MPs understand the problems and challenges faced by pubs and brewers, then the better they will be able to lobby on your behalf,” he said. “We as Parliamentarians need to make the case for British beer.”

Griffiths was speaking at the first annual dinner for the IBD’s brewers of the year. The IBD was formed in London in 1886 and now has a membership of more than 4,000 brewing and distilling professionals worldwide.

Griffiths said: “It is an enormous pleasure to welcome some of the country’s most respected brewers to Parliament. Beer is not only our national drink, it is also a vital plank of the UK economy, sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs, from farm to pub.”

The IBD’s executive director Simon Jackson said: “The pantheon of brewers assembled here today has not only been responsible for creating some of the country’s finest beers, they have also been enormously generous in passing on their knowledge to future generations.

“Such education is essential if we are to remain one of the world’s great brewing nations.”