Cask Beer Uncovered has been developed by Cask Matters, a partnership of industry and consumer organisations, brewers and retailers, with the aim of putting 100,000 bar staff through the programme over the next three years.
The course, which is free for retailers and their staff due to a £2 million investment by Cask Matters and will be delivered by CPL Online, comprises five short films which guide the viewer through every aspect of cask beer, including ingredients, conditioning in the cellar, choosing the right range, serving the perfect pint and promotion advice and food-matching.
Each film is followed by a multiple choice test and staff who score at least 75% across all five modules can print off a personalised Cask Beer Uncovered certificate.
The launch follows a trial with Punch Taverns and several other pub operators have already committed to building the programme into their staff training, including Enterprise Inns, Fuller’s, Hydes, J W Lees, Marston’s, Spirit Pub Company, Shepherd Neame, Harveys, St Austell, Star Pubs & Bars, Stonegate Pub Company, Daniel Thwaites, Wadworth, Charles Wells and Carlsberg UK.
'Beer has never tasted better'
At the launch, Community Pubs Minister Kris Hopkins said: “The Great British Pint might be at least nine pence cheaper under this Government but I can tell you now, having visited several breweries and pubs to see first-hand the innovation underway in this great sector, our beer has never tasted better.
“The Great British Pub is renowned across the world for serving well-kept pints of beer. Initiatives like this one are important and will help preserve this reputation while boosting the skills and confidence of bar staff to retain them within the industry.”
'Engaging with craft beer'
Paul Nunny, speaking on behalf of the Cask Matters Group said: “Cask Beer Uncovered is a new way of engaging bar staff with cask beer, telling them everything they need to know about serving a great pint, in an entertaining way that will make learning about our national drink a lot of fun. The course will help bar staff to communicate with their customers in a more confident manner about beer, leading to increased sales and better customer service.”
Funding for the programme came from: Adnams; Caledonian Brewing; Carlsberg UK; Daniel Thwaites; Fuller, Smith & Turner; Greene King; Marston’s Beer Company; Punch Partnerships; Frederic Robinson; Shepherd Neame; St Austell; Wadworth; Charles Wells; SIBA; CAMRA and Cask Marque.