Campaign for Real Ale
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is an independent, voluntary, consumer organisation in the United Kingdom whose main aim is promoting real ale and the traditional British pub. It is now the largest single-issue consumer group in the UK.
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[edit] History
The organisation was founded in 1971 by a group of four drinkers - Graham Lees, Bill Mellor, Michael Hardman, and Jim Makin - who were opposed to the growing industrialisation and homogenisation of the British brewing industry. One of the early members was the Good Beer Guide editor, Roger Protz. The original name was the Campaign for the Revitalisation of Ale.
[edit] Aims
CAMRA's campaigns include promoting small brewing and pub businesses, reforming licensing laws, reducing tax on beer, and stopping continued consolidation among local British brewers. It also makes an effort to promote less common varieties of beer and other traditionally brewed beverages including stout, porter, mild, traditional cider, scrumpy, and perry.
[edit] Organisation
CAMRA has over 82,000 members as of July 2006. Member benefits include a monthly newsletter, "What's Brewing", and reduced price admission to CAMRA-organised beer festivals.
CAMRA is organised on a federal basis, with numerous independent local branches each covering a particular geographical area of the UK, that contribute to the central body of the organisation based in St Albans.
CAMRA has established influence at national government level, including with English Heritage.
[edit] Events and publications
CAMRA publishes the Good Beer Guide, an annually compiled directory of its recommended pubs and brewers. They also run the Great British Beer Festival, a yearly event held in London at which a large selection of cask ales are tasted. It also maintains a National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors to help bring greater recognition and protection to Britain's most priceless historic pubs.
[edit] Festivals
CAMRA supports and promotes numerous beer and cider festivals around the country each year, which are organised by local CAMRA branches around the UK. Generally, each festival charges an entry fee which varies depending upon the area, and either covers entry only or includes a commemorative third, half or pint glass sporting the details of the festival. A festival programme is usually also provided, listing the drinks available for tasting and providing a brief description of each beverage.
[edit] Awards
CAMRA presents awards for beers and pubs, such as the National Pub of the Year, in which approximately 4,000 active CAMRA members from 200 local branches vote for their favourite pub. The branch winners are entered into 16 regional competitions which are then visited by several individuals who select the ones they like best. The best known CAMRA award is the Champion Beer of Britain which is selected at the Great British Beer Festival, other awards include the Champion Beer of Scotland and the Champion Beer of Wales.
