Drink Real Ale: Save the World!

DRINKING real ale from a local brewery in a local pub will help the environment claims CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, as it showcases 450 real ales at this week’s Great British Beer Festival.  As home-drinking hits record levels, the consumer group is calling on drinkers to swap their armchairs for the barstool at their local to enjoy a real ale produced by a local brewery. 46% of UK beer sales are in cans or non-returnable bottles, producing a huge amount of waste.

Mike Benner, Chief Executive said:- “We’re all becoming more environmentally conscious and drinking a local real ale in a pub is one way of making a small but significant contribution to save the World and promote local economies in a food and drink market dominated by global companies. Draught real ale means no wasted beer cans or bottles and if you choose a locally brewed beer, you’ll help reduce unnecessary beer miles.”

New research shows that 54% of adults would like to see at least one local beer in every pub, yet too many pubs still stick to the usual global beers offering no local alternative, says CAMRA. Choosing local beers also helps boost the local economy as it has a multiplying effect, keeping money and jobs in the community and making companies more responsive to local needs.

Mike Benner said:- “The real ale revolution means there are around 600 real ale breweries in Britain. That means there are few places without a truly local brewer on their doorstep, so why do we still see so many beers trunked up and down our motorways? The demand for local beer is clearly there, so the pub industry needs to act to deliver what consumers want and what the environment needs.”

CAMRA claims that local real ale enjoyed in a pub is the most sustainable choice because:-

* It boosts the local economy creating jobs

* It reduces unnecessary ‘beer miles’

* It boosts sustainability through promoting a sense of pride, provenance and identity to communities across Britain

* Acts as a counterweight to beers from huge distant global companies

* Reduces packaging waste through reusable casks which can last up to 20 years

* Reduces energy used in the pub as the beer is served naturally cool, not superchilled, through a handpull which requires no electricity!

* Supports the principles of the Sustainable Communities Bill through promoting local pubs and brewers

Jeanette Longfield, Co-coordinator of Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, said:- “Sustain has long been concerned about the impact of the food and drink industry on sustainable development. CAMRA's excellent campaigns for locally brewed, distinctive beers can not only cut down on unnecessary and damaging transport, but also provide local jobs and stimulate interest in high quality ingredients for drinks and food."

The Great British Beer Festival offers consumers an opportunity to choose from hundreds of local beers to show the incredible wealth and diversity of real ale.

Mike Benner added:- “Unfortunately we’ve had to pile on a few beer miles ourselves to get all these beers to Earls Court, but if the result is to get people to demand their local beer in their local pub, I think it will be worth the cost. Obviously today’s pub consumers demand a choice of beers, but at least one of them should be the sustainable local choice.”

CAMRA has also hit out at the recent obsession with ‘superchilled’ beers, often cooled down to 1 or 2 degrees in the pub.

Mr. Benner said:- “Real ale is pleasantly and naturally cool, served at 10-13 degrees, so much less energy is used cooling the beer. No one likes warm beer, but the obsession with cooling beer down to such unnatural levels is surely at odds with an environmentally friendly approach and it’s time for brewers to put flavour before near-freezing temperatures.”

Liverpool Licensing Policy Reviewed

LIVERPOOL residents are being asked their views on proposed amendments to the city council’s licensing policy.  The policy – which was adopted in 2005 – sets out how the authority handles licensing issues about the sale and supply of alcohol; matters relating to entertainment and the supply of hot food and drink late at night.  Under the Licensing Act councils have to review their policy statements every 3 years.

Since the statement was adopted there has not been any substantial criticism of it and the suggested amendments largely reflect revised Government guidance on licensing matters.  They also more clearly spell out that the paramount consideration on licensing matters is based on four licensing objectives:-

• Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm

Cllr Malcolm Kelly, Chair of the Licensing Committee, said:- “This review will give local people the chance to make their views known about policies on licensing. We will be asking people in the licensed trade and those with a direct interest in this matter but we would welcome views from any member of the public and we will carefully consider them before we implement any changes.”

The proposed amended policy can be seen on the council’s website at www.liverpool.gov.uk/consultation,  following the link to Revised Licensing Policy Consultation. Replies to the consultation should be received no later than 4pm on 19 October.

'Follow the yellow brick road' to the children's ward

CHILDREN can now join Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow on their way to the ward thanks to a mural painted by Southport based artist Clare Wright. The characters from the Wizard of Oz show the children how to 'follow the yellow brick road' to the unit.

The mural at Ormskirk & District General Hospital has been possible thanks to a donation from Northwest children's charity MedEquip 4 Kids who have donated £8,000 towards the £10,000 cost. The other £2,000 was raised by staff of the children's unit and from donations.

Shirley Coward, Matron of the children's unit said:- "We wanted a timeless theme that children of all ages will be able to relate to and following discussions with the artist and play specialists, The Wizard of Oz seemed the obvious choice. We hope the children like the mural and that it takes away some of the worry of coming into hospital. We are extremely grateful to MedEquip 4 Kids who have yet again donated money to the children's unit. I would also like to thank all our staff for helping to raise the money as well."

Clare Wright explained how the mural was made:- "It is made out of laminated aluminium that was cut to the shape I wanted. I then used mainly acrylic paints but added some glass to give it a three-dimensional look. They were then given a number of protective coats of varnish. Each piece was then fixed to the wall. The reason I decided to do it like this rather than painting directly on to the wall is that when the walls themselves need to be redecorated, it can be taken off and then re-applied. That way it should last a lifetime.

This is a total one-off. Although I have done more traditional murals before, this is the first time I have done it like this. I'm really pleased with the result, although painting some of the figures were quite difficult, particularly the tin man. I hope the children enjoy it and get some fun out of it at what can be quite a scary time for them."

www.merseyreporter.com