Summer is now upon us and the beer festival season well under way. The prowess of British brewers is on show across the country for people to celebrate but, more importantly, for people to taste.
It is no exaggeration to say that Britain’s role as a brewing powerhouse goes back centuries. But the recent and somewhat rapid emergence of microbreweries and brew pubs has given it a new edge.
The rate at which new breweries are opening is truly staggering. According to last year’s Good Beer Guide, there were 1,285 operating in Britain when it went to press. But that was last summer and some industry insiders suggest this year’s figures will dwarf that as breweries have been opening up at a rate of knots.
From St Austell Brewery in Cornwall to the Isle of Skye Brewing Company in the north of Scotland, there has never been a more exciting time for British beer with so many top-quality ales to choose from. It is this innovation, creativity and passion, which really made an impression on me during my first two months in the role.
As licensees, you must now be spoilt for choice when selecting which barrels to rack in your gardens, car parks or function rooms during the forthcoming festivals. I have a number of these dates etched in my diary — it’s a perk of the job!
Just last week, I attended Nunfest — a community festival in Nuneaton that brought together hundreds of my constituents over a shared love of both music and beer. Next month, I will be attending the Great British Beer Festival where I will have the honour of judging the beers, a formidable task consider-ing there are now more than 8,000 different beers brewed in this country.
So as parliament approaches the summer recess, I just want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have made me feel so welcome since starting my new role — the industry associations, breweries, pub companies, licensees and community enterprises. I know I will meet many more of you in the months ahead and my door will always be open. But where possible I would like to come and see you doing what you do best — serving your communities in their local areas.
My department has a proven record supporting community pubs. But when I was appointed to this role, I said I would be the sector’s champion across Whitehall and beyond. Therefore, I very much see my responsibilities as acting as your voice across the ministries to champion your cause.
That way we will continue to build on what we have achieved during the past five years to ensure the Government continues to deliver for the great British pub.