Dark Star launches beer mat inspired by pubs' charity work

15-Nov-2017 - Last updated on 15-Nov-2017 at 10:48 GMT

Selfless role: Dark Star beer mat reminds people what UK pubs do for charities across the country

Sussex-based brewer Dark Star has launched a new set of beer mats to remind pub customers that UK pubs raise more than £100m every year for charity.

Dark Star, which set up its own foundation back in 2012 to assist charities and improve local communities, is going to choose a charity to feature on the back of its beer mats each year.

This initial release, in conjunction with PubAid, is aimed at sharing research conducted by the charity that highlights the fact that UK pubs raise more than £100m for charity every year.

Great effect

Pub Aid chairman Des O’Flanagan said: "It's fantastic to see that Dark Star is using the beer mats to such great effect and reminding those visiting the great British pub just how much work pubs do for charity. Hopefully more brewers and pub companies will take their lead, it would be great if they did, so there's a challenge to them."

Dark Star managing director James Cuthbertson added: “At a time when we’re seeing so many pub closures and several corners of the consumer press seem more than happy to search out negative stories about pubs and alcohol, it’s a timely reminder to all about the important and selfless role many pubs play in the very fabric of our communities.”

Getting the message across

Beer mats were used last month by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) to highlight the issue of beer duty and its Cut Beer Tax campaign.

More than 200,000 of the beer mats, which emphasise the huge 39% tax rise that beer drinkers have endured over the past 10 years, have been given to 2,000 pubs.

Most of the mats have been distributed nationally through BBPA members but individual pubs that want to join the campaign can apply for them.

JD Wetherspoon also issued its own message on 500,000 beet mats this month, calling for parliament to back its very own three-point manifesto.

The message, which specifically calls on Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable to "stop messing about".