Local Banbury MP, Tony Baldry, was recently presented with a special award from Hook Norton Brewery’s Managing Director, James Clarke, for his work in helping to secure last year’s historic cut in beer duty in the Budget. He was presented with the new ‘Beer Champion’ award and a truly unique new beer was brewed especially for the occasion at the historic Ye Olde Reindeer Inn in Banbury.
The special award is a joint initiative from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) all of whom wanted to recognize the role of the MP, who supported Britain’s national drink during 2013, especially for his support in scrapping the Beer Duty Escalator, which lead to the momentous cut in Beer Duty.
Brewing and pubs are vital to the local economy in every part of the country. All three bodies have joined forces again this year, and are campaigning for a freeze in duty in this year’s Budget on 19th March.
Campden BRI which provides research, analysis and consultancy to the brewing industry worldwide, was chosen to create the special limited-edition bottled beer for Parliament. The beer was brewed by Ed Wray, Campden BRI’s brewer and maltster at the company’s brewing division in Nutfield, Surrey. Ed chose to brew a traditional, British India Pale Ale (IPA) using two new British hops – Jester and Endeavour. The company’s pilot maltings and bottling plant are normally used by companies to assist with new product development, so were ideal for creating this very limited edition ale.
James Clarke, Managing Director of Hook Norton Brewery comments: “I was honored to present the award to Tony Baldry for all his efforts in helping to secure last year’s historic cut in beer duty in the Budget. As a local brewery, we are delighted that we can now look to the future of the UK’s brewing industry.”
Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA, comments: “This reward recognises Tony Baldry for his invaluable support in the campaign to scrap the beer duty escalator. He really helped in drawing attention to the harm caused by tax increases totaling 42 per cent over four years.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments: “I want to thank Tony for making a huge difference in achieving the historic duty cut in 2013. We are delighted to honour this achievement in the best way possible – with a great new beer.”
Keith Bott, SIBA chairman, said, “The small, local brewers, who make up the bulk of SIBA’s membership, applaud the work of Tony in the campaign to scrap the Beer Duty Escalator last year. Brewers now feel more confident about the future of the UK’s brewing industry, and able to make long term business plans.”
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Additional information
Handcrafted in the Cotswold Hills since 1849, Hook Norton remains one of only 32 independent family-run breweries. With the founder’s great great grandson, James Clarke, still at the helm, Hook Norton continues to offer a wide range of award winning ales, including Old Hooky, Hooky and Double Stout.
Please visit www.hooky.co.uk more information.
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Sylvester
Elliott Marketing & PR
01296 714745