Pint of no return...real ale watchdog is set to shout cheers to lager
“It’s about being more inclusive, more accepting of people who enjoy all sorts of beers – not just real ale.
“It’s not about accepting lager but saying you might choose to drink it and not be so dogmatic about it.”
The proposals, backed by the leadership, will be put to a vote at the voluntary organisation’s AGM in Coventry next month, where 75 per cent of members need to approve the changes for them to be passed.
The project proposes that Camra’s remit be extended to include all types of quality beers, not just ales.
Ales are classified as caskconditioned beers which are served traditionally without additional gas pressure.
Mr Stainer said: “This is the first time in almost 50 years we have taken a really good look at what has changed in the pub landscape and asked questions like ‘are we still relevant?’ and ‘are we still doing the right thing?’
“The objective is to hopefully secure the organisation for another 50 years.
“We went about that by launching our biggest consultation with members.” But in an article recently for Hertfordshire Business Awards, Steve Bury, vice-chairman of Camra’s South Hertfordshire branch, said the proposals changed the group’s whole ethos.
“The problem is they have to define what these other beers are going to be as, with a big description like that, it covers everything such as lagers and keg beers,” he said. “Some of these are reasonably good beers, but how are we going to differentiate?
“We are in danger of drifting back to where Camra started – when mass-produced beers were foisted on to customers who are told they are quality beers, prices will go up and real ale will suffer.”