Brewers say it with beer
Industry thanks MPs for second duty cut
Brewers thanked the MPs who took a second penny off the pint in last month’s Budget in time-honoured tradition – by brewing a beer for them.
‘George’s Double Drop’, ‘Nicky Morgan’s Marvellous Mild’, ‘AG Ale’ (for Andrew Griffiths) and ‘Brandon’s Brew’ (for Brandon Lewis), as well as ‘Humphreys’ Hurrah’ for Robert Humphreys, former Honorary Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, were unveiled at Fuller’s Red Lion in Westminster last night, where Society of Independent Brewers, British Beer & Pub Association and Campaign for Real Ale gathered with brewers, politicians and other industry friends to celebrate the historic repeat cut in beer duty.
The bottled beers are all badged with ‘The Local’s Hero Beer’ and an image of the individual, within a pub sign design, to reflect the importance of the beer duty cut to pubs as well as brewers. The beers have been produced in limited runs, in bottle only, as gifts; three brewed by Titanic Brewery and two from Marston’s.
Keith Bott of Titanic Brewery, said: ‘There’s surely no better way to commemorate this second victory for beer than by brewing a beer. We hope that all those who now have a bottled ale named after them will enjoy drinking it and realise the extent of the brewing and pubs industry’s gratitude for their very welcome support.’
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said:
‘This is first time ever beer duty has been cut in successive years. There are so many people to thank, but a limited edition beer has to be a great way to thank just a few individuals who have really played their part. These beers are our way of recognising the brave decisions and tireless efforts of real advocates for our industry.’
Last year, two SIBA brewers produced commemorative beers to mark the first cut in beer duty for more than 50 years. Both ‘Pennies From 11’, brewed by Tatton Brewery in the Chancellor’s constituency, and ‘Sajid’s Choice’ from Bromsgrove Brewery, for Sajid Javid, then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, were sold in the Strangers’ Bar at the House of Commons.
Titanic Brewery, based in Stoke-on-Trent, brewed the beers for the Chancellor, for Pubs Minister Brandon Lewis and for Robert Humphreys, while the brews for Andrew Griffiths, the unofficial ‘Minister for Beer’ and for Nicky Morgan, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, came from Marston’s.
