A FOUR DAY RESIDENTIAL COURSE: 18th – 21st March 2012

This very successful short course has now been running for over twenty one years. It was set up by professional brewers to assist other less experienced brewers, aspiring brewers, and those connected with breweries, to understand in greater detail the practical aspects of brewing and the basic theory that underpins the brewing process.

The aim of the course is on to pass on to you that practical knowledge and experience gained by the course principals over many years in the brewing industry

The principle running the course is:

David Smith FIBD, Dipl.I.Brew: Formerly the Production and Quality Control Brewer for 12 years with Samuel Smiths’ Brewery, Tadcaster. David has been running his own brewing consultancy for Independent Breweries since 1988 and has helped to establish over 100 breweries in the UK.

Other lecturers include Andrew Whalley Dipl.I.Brew, Production Manager at York Brewery Co., Paul Corbett, Hop Merchant, Charles Faram & Co, Bob Lock, Diversey Chemicals & Alison Hedley, General Manager of Brewlab Ltd.

10% discount available for SIBA Members

Click here to read all the details

Nigel Sadler

Beer Academy Sommelier Nigel Sadler has been commissioned to write a regular beer blog for the BBC Food website.  Using examples, the first posting outlines the basics of beer and food matching; how beers can complement, contrast or cut through the foods that they partner.  But Nigel stresses that there are no hard and fast rules and the most important thing is to have fun experimenting.  The full article can be read at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/food/2012/01/how-to-pair-food-and-beer—pa.shtml

Nigel said “The BBC approached me to write for them after hearing that I had become a Beer Academy Sommelier.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to open the eyes of Britain’s gastronomes to the limitless potential for matching food to beer and encourage people to look out the popular Beer Academy courses.  All too often, the British media over looks beer. It’s good to see that the Beeb is taking a lead in putting this right.  ”

It has traditionally been derided for its terrible taste and spurned by serious drinkers for its lack of a crucial ingredient. But sales of no-alcohol and low-alcohol beers at UK off-licences and supermarkets have soared to a record high, new figures show, sparked by demand from health-conscious Britons and a wider choice of new ranges with improved taste.

Sales of these beers posted an annual 40% increase across all retail outlets according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel. Retailers said consumers were responding to the improved product quality and range; a desire to live more healthily; and better awareness around the risks of drink-driving.

Supermarket giant Tesco reports that its sales are even higher, with a year-on-year growth of 47%. It will next week expand into the developing mid-strength beer market when it launches a dedicated range of 11 brews – lager, ale and stout. Each has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 2.8%, compared with an average beer ABV of 4%.

Low-alcohol beers are now cheaper than their more alcoholic equivalents, thanks to a 50% cut in duty announced by the chancellor in the budget – which took effect last October – for those of 2.8% ABV and less.

The move, which saw a 50p reduction on a pint of beer, sparked much experimentation amongst UK breweries in anticipation of greater demand for the lower-alcohol beer. But Tesco – which will help shoppers by labelling displays with a new “mid-strength” category – said the sales spike was already in evidence.

Non-alcoholic beer was launched in the UK in the early 1980s but did not sell well, largely because of its poor taste.

Tesco specialist beer buyer Chiara Nesbitt said: “The growth, particularly for non-alcohol beers, is remarkable as they were previously frowned upon by drinkers who considered them thin and tasteless compared to the real thing. However, over the last few years there have been great improvements in quality with many breweries using far better ingredients in order to create full-bodied brews that taste like their more alcoholic cousins.

“The success of this market has shown us that growing numbers of drinkers are prepared to buy lower alcohol beers as long as the quality is good.”

Read more in the Guardian – Click Here

The Sainsbury’s 2011 Great British Beer Hunt was a major success with 105 beers entered from 45 breweries.
Sainsbury’s customers tasted and voted for beers at four Regional Beer Hunts where the brewers were able to showcase their beers to the visiting guests. The winning beers at these heats went through to a national competition run in over 350 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. The sales volumes dictated which 8 beers went through to a prestigious Grand Final in London in September.
The First Prize winner – Bad King John from Ridgeway Brewing and the Runner Up – Caesar Augustus from Williams Brothers (SIBA MEMBER)  are now selling in Sainsbury’s stores across the U.K.
Through this innovative competition Sainsbury’s restated its commitment to smaller brewers and allowed hundreds of Sainsbury’s customers to have access to innovative brewers in a convivial and enjoyable environment
The basic format remains the same. The competition is:
· Accessible to all brewers

· Judged by Sainsbury’s customers with the help of industry experts at every stage

· Reliant on an in store Competition to allow actual sales to decide which beers will go through to the Grand Final

and

· Sees the winners featured nationally for a minimum 6 month listing

There are some major improvements this year
· There are now five regions rather than the previous four. This will allow more brewers to enter as travelling times and costs will be reduced. Just as importantly more customers will be able to attend and meet their local brewers

· There are now two categories – National and Regional. Brewers will be able to decide if they want to compete for a National or a Regional listing. The winners of a regional listing will be selected at a Regional Beer Hunt and will go into a maximum of forty stores located within their area. Those who opt for the National Competition will go through from the Regional activity to a national instore competition. The overall winners will be decided at a Grand Final and will get a full minimum 6 month listing in hundreds of Sainsbury’s stores from Autumn 2012 onwards.

Nicky Millington, Sainsbury’s Beer Buyer explains why the changes have been introduced
‘ 2011 was a great year for us and we decided to plan for 2012 by listening to feedback from brewers. It became very clear that there were many brewers who would love to enter the competition but could not produce sufficient beer to satisfy our volume requirements for a national listing. The changes that we have made will allow these brewers to participate and have the opportunity to meet customers from all over their region. As before we will be working with People Energies, who specialise in this area, to ensure that all sizes of brewers get the help they need at every step of the way.
As a team we are really excited about the 2012 Competition”

For further information, including details of the dedicated competition website and photos and comment on the 2011 competition contact

Richard Morrice
People Energies
08456 447665
richard@peopleenergies.com

UK Trade & Investment in Budapest is organising a reception entitled Showcasing Independent British Breweries & Ciderie s. The aim of the event is to give smaller, independent British breweries and cideries the opportunity to showcase their excellence and introduce their products to Hungarian professionals from the hospitality industry and, eventually, the general public.

Click Here to read more

Pubs which improve community life should be given tax breaks to help them survive, according to a report by a leading think-tank.

With 16 pubs currently believed to be closing each week, the report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recommends a 50% business rate relief for those that can prove they act as community hubs.

The report says this would help prevent the loss of more pubs which strengthen local networks, after a survey commissioned by the IPPR found a majority of people see pubs as the best place to keep up to speed with their community.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) this week reported 140 million fewer pints of beer were sold in pubs last year, as they struggle to cope with competition from supermarkets, increases in tax on beer and changes in consumers’ tastes.

Read the full story Here

Article taken from Huffington Post UK

At a recent beer reception in London, health minister Anne Milton stated the Government’s support for beer and pubs. “We are supportive of the pub industry, we are supportive of people having a good time,” she said, adding that it was “staggering” how cheaply some of the supermarkets are selling alcohol and recognised that pre-loading presents the licensed trade with a “big problem”.

Milton was speaking to an industry audience at a showcase for 2.8% ABV beers organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. Several SIBA members including Hopback, Everards, Caledonian and Brentwood served their beers at the event.

SIBA Chairman Keith Bott, who attended the event, said, “SIBA has campaigned for many years for beer, drunk in moderation in pubs, to be recognised as a socially responsible way to enjoy alcohol, so it is good to hear similar messages coming from the health minister.” He added, “Although these 2.8% ABV create interest, it is worth remembering, as the BBPA’s Brigid Simmonds pointed out, that all beers are low in strength compared with other alcoholic drinks.”

For the full article go to:  the Publican’s Morning Advertiser

Steve Hindy to Deliver Keynote at Craft Brewers Conference

Register now for the craft brewing industry’s annual gathering

Steve Hindy of Brooklyn Brewery will deliver the keynote address at Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). One look at his impressive resume confirms that his perspective will be entertaining and informative. Read the full release for details.

Insight from professionals like Hindy makes CBC a valuable opportunity for CEOs, brewers, marketers and other beer professionals. CBC is key to succeeding in the industry. Register now and start planning for the brewing industry’s premier education and networking event.

Check out the SMI for the SIBA members’ discount code

All four finalists for this year’s Best Pub Operating Microbrewer category in The Publican Awards are SIBA members. Congratulations to: Leeds Brewery, Thornbridge Brewery, Convivial London Pubs and Palmers Brewery.

The Best Pub Operating Microbrewer is a new category, introduced this year. The award will be presented to ‘a company that combines its skills in running  a successful microbrewing business with operating quality beer-focused pubs.” The competition was open to brewers producing 10,000 barrels or fewer.

Final judging will be taking place next month and the overall winner announced at the Publican Awards dinner on 27^th March. May the best brewer win!