It broke today on Twitter that Cromarty had a beer order cancelled from a CAMRA festival beacuse they sell the same beer in Cask in Keg.
Now many of my friends know im an Ardent CAMRA Supporter.
But i was horrified to think that CAMRA’s policy might be to not
support or buy beer from Brewers that Produce the same beer in cask and
keg (using the same name) and while not wanting to call Cromarty liars i just couldnt believe this was policy so i phoned CAMRA HQ
And bloody Hell it appears to be true, i was told
Policy is
"4.33 Beer festivals are not to stock or admit for any award, any beer
brand which is produced in both cask and keg versions that mislead the
drinker into believing that there is little or no difference between the
versions."
The wording of the policy is such that beer festival organisers are able
to determine whether or not drinkers are likely to be misled. If
drinkers are not likely to be misled then the festival organisers may
stock a beer that is brewed both in cask and keg versions.
Now maybe this one Beer festival is interpreting the rule very tightly but its ridiculous.
Sad to say but i cant see this causing anything but harm to CAMRA reputation, when even i (probably the most PRO CAMRA person i know find this to be nothing but stupid.
And i dont want to be the person answering people at the festival about
why a brewery is missing from festival, there bound to get fed up of
being laughed at.
In fact looking at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champion_Beer_of_Scotland
All three top beers in Scotland last year were produced by Brewers who will be selling there produce in both Cask and Keg, and while i will always prefer to see them in cask rather than keg, thats my personal choice.
I dont think the Battle for Cask beer is won, and i think CAMRA has a cause still to fight for, for moves like this do more to harm there cause and make them look stupid. Sadly despite argueing for the Last 2 years that CAMRA are still relevant, it does in fact look like they have lost their way.
You can Read here more about why one of these 2 breweries has Chosen to go down the Keg and Cask route.
