Still rolling out the little red Watneys barrel

sir – The quality of Watneys Red Barrel draught beer may have been doubtful, but the robustness of their little red barrel key fob (Letters, March 20) is outstanding.

I have carried the same one (given to me by my late mother-in-law) on my bunch of keys for nearly 50 years. John Renton

Colchester, Essex

sir – Members of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) who are shocked and disturbed by the news (report, March 17) that it is planning to support lager should join SPBW – the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood.

This society was founded in 1963, and so predates Camra. Rod Morse

Treasurer, Ightham Branch of SPBW Ightham, Kent

sir – In the Sixties, I worked at Mortlake Brewery for Sanders Watney, the esteemed relative of Anthony Watney Bone (Letters, March 19).

Mr Watney Bone is correct in his description of Red Barrel draught beer. However, Messrs Watney Combe & Reid also produced many excellent beers which bore favourable comparison with rival brands. Watneys Ordinary Bitter was a very hoppy and tasty beer – as was bottled Red Barrel, which bore no resemblance to the draught beer.

They also brewed an excellent and strong lager, unfortunately only supplied to cruise ships. As employees, we were able to try it occasionally and usually surreptitiously. Watneys’ bad name for the Red Barrel brand was undeserved and, as Mr Watney Bone rightly says, all the other brewers copied the recipe. Horrible it was, but thanks to Camra it is now consigned to the past, as unfortunately is Watneys. Chris Forester

Wincanton, Somerset