Craft Beer

Important part of a ‘proper’ pub: the appreciation of cask ale remains

The cask project

Licensees must realise the trouble cask is in

By Pete Brown

It’s 15 years now since I wrote the first edition of the Cask Report – an initiative organised by cask brewers and industry bodies to reinvigorate attitudes around cask ale. Now, The Cask Project is a new initiative with the same goals.

What is craft: consumers consider things like independence and locally brewed to be important (Credit: Getty/LauriPatterson)

What defines craft beer?

By Rebecca Weller

According to Statista 1.24bn hectolitres (hl) of craft beer were sold in the UK on-trade in 2019, but just 36% of the 829 surveyed by the website had a ‘good’ understanding of what craft beer means with many consumers looking to better understand the...

Sites pipeline: BrewDog’s James Watt has revealed the business will open dozens more venues this year

BrewDog to open 27 sites this year

By Gary Lloyd

James Watt, co-founder of craft brewer and bar operator BrewDog, has revealed the business is set to open 27 new sites during 2022.

Company stance: 'our feeling was we needed to absorb as much as we possibly could for the longer term', Joules MD Steve Nuttall says (image: Getty/Jonathan Knowles)

Joules holds beer prices

By Nikkie Thatcher

Shropshire-based operator and brewer Joules has made the decision to hold the prices on all its craft beers, including its Lager Green Monkey.

Falling numbers: CGA statistical analysis shows where cask ale is failing

The Cask Project

The decline of cask ale in numbers

By Gary Lloyd

The short shelf life of cask beer is a major factor in why the category has suffered a continued decline throughout recent years, according to statistics from data insights expert CGA.

You bet: Jean-David Thumelaire has seen BBG’s ‘bets’ on the on-trade begin to pay off already

Big Interview

BBG vows to support the on-trade

By Gary Lloyd

Budweiser Brewing Group UK & Ireland’s Jean-David Thumelaire talks about the pandemic, the business’s Stella Please campaign and its latest innovations, among other things, with The Morning Advertiser associate features editor Gary Lloyd.

Ideal choice: Birrificio Angelo Poretti is versatile and is the impeccable enhancement for any dining occasion

Promotional content

Made for the table

By Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company

Nestled at the foot of the Italian Campo Dei Fiori mountains, the Birrificio Angelo Poretti brewery has been producing crisp, fresh beers for more than a century. Thanks to the innovative and meticulous art of blending hops, the beer has clarity, flavour...

Information provided: the SIBA Craft Beer Report 2022 is being launched today (Thursday 17 March) at BeerX UK 2022 in Liverpool

Cask sales ‘under serious threat’

By Nikkie Thatcher

Traditional cask beer is “under serious threat” due to consumer drinking habits changing to ordering online and drinking more at home, according to a new report.

Something for your pub? Gins, a rum and beer launches make up this week’s round-up

New products round-up

BrewDog and Whitley Neill roll out new gins

By Gary Lloyd

Spirits from BrewDog, Whitley Neill and One-Eyed Rebel and beers from Lakedown, Bellfield and Vocation make up the latest new product launches this week.

The bar is open: beers and an Indian spirit make up the new product launches

New products round-up

Trio of beers from Wild Card, Allsopp’s launches two classics

By Gary Lloyd

In the latest new product launches we have a trio of beers from Wild Card Brewery, two new beers from an almost forgotten historic brewer in Allsopp’s, Scottish brewer Cold Town Beer backs it national rugby team with a limited-edition ale, Indian spirit...

Designs on nights out: Beavertown’s Tottenham Taproom renovation will see new indoor, upstairs and outdoor drinking and live music areas

Beavertown to reopen taproom after revamp

By Gary Lloyd

North London-based brewer and pub operator Beavertown Brewery is set to reopen its Tottenham Taproom on Saturday (12 February) after a huge renovation that includes an upstairs area that overlooks the workspace.

Big ambitions: Anspach & Hobday says its stout is set to rival Guinness

Anspach & Hobday smashes crowdfunding target

By Gary Lloyd

South London-based brewer and operator Anspach & Hobday has almost doubled its crowdfunding target as it looks to expand its production facilities in a bid to take on Guinness with its London Black stout.

Previous history: Carlsberg bought London Fields Brewery in 2017

CMBC closes London Fields Brewery with view to sell

By Nikkie Thatcher

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has closed London Fields Brewery (LFB), shutting the taproom and stopping brewing immediately, and is looking to sell the site and brand.

Leading light: Camden Town's Hells Lager was the best performing craft beer (credit: Getty/ Instants)

The Drinks List

Camden Town Hells Lager tops chart consecutively

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The overall value of the UK on-trade’s eight best-selling craft beers plummeted by £26.3 in the past year, with 34,617 fewer hectolitres (HL), that’s 7m pints, sold.

What are the best selling alcohol brands of 2021?

The Drinks List

The Drinks List – top brands to stock in 2022

By The Morning Advertiser

This year’s Drinks List has been impacted by the fact the on-trade sector was either in lockdown or operating under restrictions from October 2020 to July 2021, which was a longer period than when the results was previously compiled.

Northern powerhouse: Robinsons is based in Stockport, Greater Manchester

Why Robinsons is a real Trooper

By Gary Lloyd

Independent family brewer and pub operator Frederic Robinson, or better known simply as Robinsons, has been running from its Stockport base for more than 180 years.

Awards back to pre-pandemic status: The Guild of Beer Writers 2019 Awards winners

The British Guild of Beer Writers 2021 shortlist

By Rebecca Weller

The British Guild of Beer Writers has announced its shortlist of 35 writers, journalists, and bloggers in its Annual Awards with winners to be announced in London on 2 December 2021.

Top spot: Cloudwater Brew Co has brewed 816 different beers

Cloudwater rated best independent brewery in UK

By Gary Lloyd

Manchester-based Cloudwater Brew Co has been ranked as the best independent brewery in the UK, according to new research that has taken Google ratings and RateBeer scores into consideration.

Figures found: 2020 saw the number of breweries fall by to 1,816 - down on 2019 but this rose for 2021 to 1,902 (image: Getty/Stefano Gilera)

Brewery numbers rise after 2020 drop

By Nikkie Thatcher

The number of total independent breweries has increase to 1,902 in 2021 from 1,816 in 2020, new figures have found.

Unique product: cask ale is typically British and can't be recreated outside the pub (credit: Getty/urbancow)

Don’t undersell cask beer – it can’t be replicated at home

By Gary Lloyd

“There’s nothing like this.” Some of the more ‘seasoned’ readers may remember this as a hit song for soul singer Omar 30 years again when it peaked at number 14 in the UK music charts. However, the statement also rings true of cask ale.

Latest launches: here's what new on the drinks market

New products round-up

New serves available to tempt customers

By Gary Lloyd

Whiskies, coconut flower beer, Tequilas, a non-alcoholic cider and a remake of classic TV advert are among the latest additions to the new products market.

Lots to choose from: new products hit the market in time for autumn

New products round-up

Stay ahead of your rivals with these new products

By Gary Lloyd

Vocation’s chocolate and banana stout, TOWIE star’s Prosecco, BrewDog’s Planet Ale and Bankhall Sweet Mash bourbon are among the latest new products.

The festival will feature 130 craft beers from 22 different breweries

Tap Takeover returns to Brighton

By Rebecca Weller

Laine Brewing Company has announced the return of the UK’s biggest city-wide beer festival in Brighton from 22 to 24 October 2021.

Spotlight

(credit: Getty/ViewApart) Experts give comment for the Beer Report 2024 The Morning Advertiser's Lock In Podcast episode 77 S4 Ep. 14: Stars in bars! (Feat. James May, Candice Brown and more) Competition kicked off: entry for the 2024 Great British Pub Awards is now open Hunt is under way for the Great British Pub of the Year The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast shortlisted for award Lock In podcast shortlisted for top award

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