Some 61% of people surveyed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which has just held its annual Great British Beer Festival event, said they have lost faith in the Government’s commitment to protect pubs.
CAMRA said: “More than six in every 10 people believe the Government should be doing more to protect the existence of community pubs.
“Just 17% believe it is doing enough, a damning verdict on years of underinvestment, inconsistent support and a lack of long-term safeguarding for this cherished institution.”
CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “This week, we’re celebrating everything that’s brilliant about pubs, brewing and beer. We will see every kind of brewer and representatives from across the industry all sharing their quality products and love for their craft.
“Yet, this polling shows that Brits understand the pressures they’re under. It’s now or never for pubs.
“The Budget is the last chance to ease the pressure and give them a fighting chance. We are calling on the Government to reverse the rise in employer national insurance contributions (NICs), cut duty on draught beer and make sure independent brewers can get their beers on the bar.”
Quite overwhelming
CAMRA crowned Mild by Penzance Brewery as the Champion Beer of Britain this week at the Great British Beer Festival, which was held in Birmingham.
Lewis Elliott and Richard Hickman of Penzance Brewery said: “It’s quite overwhelming. I’m really glad the style has come back. It’s down to the founder of our brewery Peter Elvin and his nephew Rob, who showed me the ropes. I can’t believe we are here right now, it’s mad.”
Meanwhile, two West Midlands breweries took silver and bronze in the overall Champion Beer of Britain category.
Sarah Hughes Brewery in Sedgley claimed second spot with its barley wine Snowflake, while Church End Brewery near Nuneaton earned Bronze for its Fallen Angel pale ale.
Snowflake, brewed by Sarah Hughes, was praised by judges as being: “A gorgeous barley wine and a classic example of the style. The flavour is complex, with sweet bitter marmalade on a smooth palate.”
Judges described Church End’s Fallen Angel as: “A sweet honey toast, butterscotch aroma with a little spice. It’s a rich pale ale with bitter spicy hops that are balanced by notes of honey.”
Honoured and delighted
In the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2025 competition, female brewers were on top as St Austell Proper Job took Gold while Mischief from Monty’s brewery in Powys, Wales – under the leadership of brewery co-founder Pam Honeyman – claimed silver.
St Austell Proper Job is brewed under the guidance of brewing director Georgina Young, who said: “We are very honoured and delighted to be recognised in this category with our amazing Proper Job IPA, which was first brewed in 2004, created using original new style hops made with Chinook and Cascade. It’s incredibly rewarding to see it still standing out two decades later.”
Bronze went to Imperial Brown Stout by Kernel Brewery in London.
CAMRA people director and advisory panel member for Women on Tap, Laura Emson, said: “Winning awards for producing excellent beer is just one way to help shake the perception that the industry isn’t for women.
“Pioneers like Georgina and Pam have followed in the footsteps of generations of women making beer and are inspiring a new generation. Hopefully their success will spark others’ interest and have more breweries benefit from the talent out there waiting to be tapped into.”
