The petition was launched in April this year, after the UK joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH in March 2024.
- Sign the petition here
The convention, which ensures traditions and practices of cultural importance are preserved and passed on to future generations, was introduced in the UK for the first time in June last year.
In the UK, ICH, as defined by UNESCO’s 2003 Convention, includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.
The petition, which was created by award-winning beer writer Johnny Garrett, stated: “Cask ale is unique to the UK – a historic and traditional production and serving method.
Financial pressure
“We believe its flavour and texture is unrivalled anywhere in the world and can only be consumed in pubs with specific equipment and expertise.
“With the hospitality industry under financial pressure, it’s vital we protect cask ale from further decline, both for its financial role in pubs, breweries, maltings and farms and for its cultural role in British society.”
At the time of publication the petition, which will run until Wednesday 1 October, had 32,297 signatures.
The Government responded to the petition on 24 April 2025, after the appeal had exceeded 10,000 signatures.
It said: “The Government is setting up an inventory to recognise intangible cultural heritage in the UK. We will open a public call later this year and would welcome a submission on cask ale.”
A petition needs 100,000 signatures to be be considered for debate in Parliament.
This comes as voices from across the sector recently shared their fears for the future of cask ale and the UK’s brewing heritage, marking a year since Marston’s sold its remaining brewing interests to what is now Carlsberg Britvic.
Other industry leaders, including Theakston managing director Richard Bradbury and Stroud Brewery managing director Greg Pilley, have previously spoken of cask’s iconic status in UK pubs, praising its freshness and sustainability credentials.
Unique product
Beer sommelier Annabel Smith recently told The Morning Advertiser (The MA): “Cask beer is so unique to the UK, visitors from all over the world cite it as one of the top things they want to experience when visiting the UK.
“Cask is made with natural ingredients and is a live product, but the wonderful quirky thing is, it’s not ready to drink when it leaves the brewery gates.
“It needs to go through another process in the pub cellar, so brewers and publicans work hand in hand to get that process right.
“The expertise in getting the balance right is an art form, a skill, that rarely happens anywhere else in the world, and for this reason it should gain special recognition.”
A separate petition calling for the Government to support pubs and prevent more closures was also launched earlier this year.
It was created by Great British Pub Crawl host Dale Harvey and will also run until October. At the time of publication the petition had more than 5,000 signatures.
- Sign the petition here.
The appeal said: “Pubs are the backbone of our communities and are vital in maintaining mental health and social interaction in many communities across the UK.
“Far too many have been lost over the past 30 years due to a lack of support for the industry and we simply cannot continue on this course.”
