Cask Ale Week off to a flier

National Cask Ale Week got off to a roaring start as a crack team of head brewers took to the streets of London, dressed as the A-le Team, to introduce the public to Britain's national drink.

Last Friday, head brewers from Marston's, Caledonian, Wells & Young's, Fullers and Greene King headed to four pubs in central London to encourage pub goers to put down their regular drink and try something new.

Paul Nunny, director of Cask Marque, the organisation responsible for certifying ale quality in pubs, said: "A team of head brewers, The A-le Team, are taking to the road during Cask Ale Week to introduce people to the pleasures of cask beer and remind them that they should be raising a toast to what is truly Britain's national drink."

A poll carried out on behalf of Cask Ale Week into national treasures showed that 40% of people think of a pint of real ale as a great source of national pride. It ranked in the top five of Britain's national treasures, alongside fish & chips and cups of tea.

More than 25% of people said cask ale gave them a reason to visit a pub, while 22% of people said it gave them a relaxing way to unwind.

Nearly 40% of people associate the drink with traditional British produce and more than half of all people polled agreed cask ale was associated with natural ingredients.

History and heritage topped the poll of what people should be most proud of in Britain, with 35% of people citing the pub as the place they would most proudly boast about, and more than one fifth most proud of cask ale.

Nunny said: "Cask ale really is the Champagne of beers — there to be savoured and it is not just something for men. There are lots of different subtle flavours for women to enjoy too."