'From zero to hero' new report confirms cask ale's renaissance

400,000 new drinkers in 2008
Volume growth in a declining overall beer market
Distribution in 3,000 new pubs last year
More breweries trading than at any time in the past 60 years

That these statistics can be used to describe cask ale will come as a surprise to anyone who witnessed the category's near-demise around five years ago and confirm its journey from 'zero to hero', as published today in The Cask Report - Britain's National Drink.

Pete Brown, the report's author, said, "Turnaround stories don't get much better than cask beer's. In a shrinking on-trade beer market, cask is the only category to show growth, albeit modest, of 1% in the first half of 2009. Its share of the on-trade beer market now stands at 13.5%, up from 11% in 2007. But what's most important for Britain's licensees is that there's compelling evidence to show that cask beer can offer them a 'lifeline' out of the recession

Read the full press release Here

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BrewDog launches 'Nanny State'

After critisism of their 18.2% beer Tokyo, BrewDog have launched a new beer at 1.1%, called Nanny State.

The new beer is described as 'a mild imperial ale containing more hops per barrel than any other beer ever brewed in the UK'.

Read the report from BBC News

More real ale news and views at aletalk.co.uk

UK Beer Festivals w/e 25-27 September 2009

Thirsty? Fancy a drop of real ale?

Here is a list of all the ral ale events happenning in the UK this weekend

Real Ale Events

A special mention for our fellow Twitterers who are hosting Beer Festivals this weekend:

Kilvert's Beer Festival, Hay-on-Wye

The Castle Inn Beer Festival, West Lulworth

More real ale news & views at aletalk.co.uk

International Beer Challenge 2009 Winners

The judging for the International Beer Challenge 2009 is now complete. Over 30 expert judges from the international beer industry blind tasted 300 beers and bronze, silver and gold medals were awarded.

Well done to all the winners.

The complete list of winners can be found HERE

For the latest real ale news & views visit aletalk.co.uk

Beer Festivals for weekend 19-20 September 2009

Looking for a real ale event this weekend?

They're all listed Here

If you're looking for real ale news and views or, if you're looking for a real ale brewery, take a look at aletalk.co.uk