Storm in a pint glass: beer drinkers split over Camra plan

Real ale society’s 190,000 members to vote on proposal to extend remit beyond traditional beers

FOR almost 50 years, it has been at the forefront of the crusade to promote cask beers.

But now the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) risks a rebellion from members over its plans to support lager for the first time. Camra, which has championed traditional brews for 47 years, is launching a “revitalisation project” in an attempt to attract younger members.

Colin Valentine, Camra’s chairman, said it must “evolve so that we are relevant to drinkers of all types” amid a changing “beer and pub landscape”.

But the move risks a backlash from thousands of staunchly traditional members, some of whom claim the proposals would change Camra’s entire ethos. The project proposes Camra’s remit be extended to include all types of quality beers – not just ales. If approved, it means Camra could begin supporting lagers and craft beer, instead of just ales and ciders, under plans to deliver what it feels modern drinkers want.

The formation of Camra in 1971 by four men from the north-west disillusioned with the UK beer market was instrumental in shaking up the brewing industry so that good-quality ales began appearing in Britain’s pubs.

At the time, the newly arriving and mass-produced lagers were seen as the enemy. Now Camra is discussing with its 190,000 members whether lagers should be part of its campaign.

The proposals, backed by the leadership, will be voted on at its annual general meeting in Coventry next month.

Mr Valentine said: “We recognise that the beer and pub landscape has changed and continues to evolve, and our place in that landscape has changed as well. We’re determined to make sure that we continue to change and evolve so that we are relevant to drinkers of all types and continue to offer a compelling reason for people to join our organisa- tion.” The news that lager might be embraced has not been welcomed by all.

Steve Berry, the vice-chairman of Camra’s South Herts branch said that the proposals changed Camra’s entire ethos. “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 onto customers who are told they are quality beers, prices will go up and real ale will suffer,” said Mr Berry

Camra said the proposals, if voted through, will see the organisation represent drinkers of quality beers which do not currently meet the organisation’s definition of “real ale”, along with ciders and perries of all types, as well as moving its focus beyond traditional pubs.

‘We are in danger of drifting back to where Camra started, when massproduced beers were foisted onto customers’