Congratulations - it’s a hat-trick!
CAMRA applauds beer duty hat-trick as tax on a pint falls for a third time
"CAMRA is delighted with today's hat-trick of an unprecedented third consecutive cut in beer tax, with another penny off a pint, which will be welcomed by millions of beer-drinkers across the country. The last two cuts have already had a huge impact, saving over 1,000 pubs from closure and keeping the price of a pub pint down. Independent research by CEBR forecasts that the price of a pub pint will now be more than 20p cheaper than it would have been had the beer duty escalator remained in place.
"A third cut in beer tax is a huge vote of confidence in the importance of pubs and brewing. It will help ensure the sector returns to long term growth after many years of pub closures and falling beer sales, caused in part by a 42% beer tax increase between 2008 and 2012, and throw a lifeline to struggling community pubs across the country.
"Britain is known around the world for great pubs and real ale, and we should all be incredibly proud that this industry has just reported growth for the first time in a decade. We hope Britain's millions of pub goers will head to their local this evening to give three cheers to a historic third cut in beer tax!"
Tim Page, CAMRA Chief Executive
May is Cider Month
As part of CAMRA's campaign to encourage more people to try a range of real ales, cider and perries, members are being encouraged to try a real cider or perry in May and to help support British orchards.
May is a time when the apple and pear trees in our orchards are in blossom and, without the orchards and tree blossom, we wouldn't have the fruit to make the ciders and perries that are on offer throughout the year. Unfortunately, many of the old traditional orchards have disappeared over the years but, thankfully, in recent years producers have started to plant new trees to keep the tradition of cider and perry production alive.
May is also the time when the juice that was pressed the previous year has fermented through and is ready to drink. Real ciders and perries let you taste the fruit used in their production in the final product, straight from the tree to the glass. If you are a publican who is organising a cider and perry event in May, know of something happening in the Branch's area, or want more information, please contact our Apple representative.
Pubs and Club of the Year 2015 - results now in
Thanks to all Durham CAMRA members for taking part in the recent poll for branch pubs and club of the year for 2015.
The votes have now been counted and validated and you can see the winners and runners-up listed on the Awards pages. Congratulations to those and all the others who received votes in very competitive and closely run contests.
Voting now open for 2015 Pubs and Club of the Year
A good number of nominations were received from branch CAMRA members to become Pubs and Club of the Year for 2015.
Voting is now open and to encourage participation a draw will take place from all valid votes received for a small prize of bottle conditioned ales.
Visit http://www.camradurham.org.uk/awards/2015-pubs-and-club-of-the-year-nominations/ to see how you can vote.
Nominations received are listed there to help you but you can still vote for ANY pub or club of your choosing in the Durham branch area. You must be a CAMRA member from the Durham branch to participate.
Champion Beer of Britain Nominations Open
The nomination period for the Champion Beer of Britain competition is now open. All CAMRA members can submit nominations, which will be used to help select beers for the regional competitions. The winners of the regional competitions go through to the national finals. There are eleven categories available, but you do not need to nominate beers in all categories.
To vote, go to http://www.cbobvoting.org.uk and log in using your member login details. You will then be able to nominate up to five beers in each of the eleven categories. Members without internet access can submit proxy votes via members of the branch committee. Nominations close on Saturday, November 30th.