Brewers from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) are sending ales to Westminster on Wednesday to ensure none of the anticipated 1,000 mass lobby participants go thirsty.
SIBA has been an active partner in the Save Your Pint campaign since Day One, collecting signatures to the petition and lobbying MPs ahead of last month’s parliamentary debate. Many of its members – not just brewers but licensees and suppliers – will be taking part in the mass lobby.
Seven brewers, most of them from SIBA’s south east region, are providing beer on Wednesday: Foundry Brewery and Canterbury Ales, both from Canterbury; Ramsgate Brewery; Westerham Brewery; Sambrooks and Redemption breweries from London and Titanic, the Stoke-on-Trent brewery owned by SIBA chairman Keith Bott.
Julian Grocock, SIBA chief executive, said, “We’re delighted with the momentum that has built behind the Save your Pint campaign, thanks in part to the efforts of many of our members.
“We were disappointed with the Treasury’s refusal to review the beer duty escalator ahead of the Budget, despite the vote in Parliament in favour of one. The mass lobby will be another chance for us to show the Government the strength of feeling over beer duty among drinkers who resent paying so much more for their beer than their European neighbours, and who are saddened by the continuing pub closures.”
He added, “We’re grateful for the support of the many CAMRA members and others who are making the trip to Westminster. It is our pleasure to be offering them some fine SIBA ales to enjoy after meeting their local MP to raise the issue of beer duty.”
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Issued on behalf of: Society of Independent Brewers
By: ShielPorter Communications
For information: Ros Shiel: 07841 694137 / ros@shielporter.com