MyShout
If a fictional detective can support beer, so should the Government, says Stephen Crawley
One could say that the way our industry is taxed under this Government is a crime. The latest calls for a freeze on beer duty is something the whole industry is behind in principle, but each of us has a responsibility to write to our local MP to register our views and encourage them to support us. After all, in the UK we have to pay 59p tax on every pint of our national drink!
Not only is it our national drink - the pint was awarded iconic status last August when it was voted by the public as one of the nation's favourite icons in a scheme run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in which over half a million people expressed their interest. Now, an icon to me means something considered to represent a set of beliefs or a way of life - and in order to sustain beer as part of our way of life in this country, we need a commitment from Government to play fair and give the sector a break. The British Beer & Pub Association has provided a template letter to help make the process as easy as possible. If you are unsure who your MP is, there is a useful link on the MA website, www.morningadvertiser.co.uk - so get writing!
Moving on from crime and writing, we're now talking murder, mystery and suspense! These are not the words that one would normally associate with a brewer, or even a pint, but those of you who are fans of crime writer Ian Rankin will know that his famous detective, Inspector Rebus, can usually be found with a pint of Deuchars IPA in hand to slake his thirst after a hard day's work. This year is the 20th anniversary of the first Inspector Rebus novel, Knots and Crosses, and to mark the occasion Caledonian has created a commemorative brew, Rebus20, which will be available throughout August.
To add spice to the occasion, our head brewer Dr Robert Burton invited Ian in to add a little intrigue and include a secret ingredient, which will confound even the most expert of beer enthusiasts among you. If you fancy taking up the challenge to identify the secret ingredient, Rebus20 will be available at the Great British Beer Festival at Earl's Court from 7 - 11 August 2007.
Iconic (if fictional) Inspector Rebus is a strong supporter of pubs and beer and there are many references throughout the 18 books in which he has featured. Rankin himself states that he's tasted a multitude of beers in more than a dozen countries, but nothing matches the beer he enjoys at home, nor the friendships he has made with regulars and staff - he has even bestowed literary immortality on the real-life licensee and barman of Edinburgh's famous Oxford Bar.
Our unique offer is quintessentially British - great pubs and great beer. They have been immortalised in fiction but I, for one, would like them to remain as fact!
