SIBA members support trade session to celebrate growth of London brewing
Once again, the London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival held a trade session dedicated to London beers and were delighted when 14 SIBA members dedicated to support the session.
The event, held on the Thursday afternoon of the Festival, was for trade guests only and around 230 brewer reps, licensees and beer writers registered for the session. These were completed by a variety of local Councillors, who were invited to reinforce the importance of pubs and local breweries to London’s economy. A brief speech was made by the Mayor of Islington, who pulled a pint of SIBA member, East London Brewing’s Wheat Porter.
Christine Cryne, Festival Publicity Manager, said ’30 years ago, when the London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival first opened its doors, there were only 8 breweries in London and 9 brewpubs. At the latest count, this number has grown almost 4 fold; a staggering 42 breweries and 19 brewpubs and the Beer Festival had over a third of them on a bar dedicated to just London breweries!’
Christine added ‘We have been so delighted in the feedback on the trade session that we intend to run it again next year. Also, we are looking to increase the number of London beers on the bar and would welcome any other London SIBA members to come and take part in the 2015 Festival’.
The Festival was run entirely by unpaid CAMRA volunteers.
For further details: contact Christine Cryne 07932 736 827; http://www.camranorthlondon.org.uk/
