Ale and Beer

There is a great opportunity over the next two years for the industry to get the Government to think more positively about pubs and beer, claims Jonathan Neame, chief executive of brewer Shepherd Neame, and soon to be chairman of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

A Surrey council that issued a consultation on the controversial late-night levy (LNL) has withdrawn the document.

Pubcos have been warned to get their house in order over the pubco-tenant relationship, by secretary of state for community and local goverment Eric Pickles MP.

The industry petition calling for the end of the beer duty escalator has hit more than 45,000 signatures — a rise of 11,000 — after a concerted push from the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

Hook Norton, the Oxfordshire brewer and pub operator, has recruited Colliers International to look for pub acquisitions in and around its Cotswolds heartland.

The All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group has celebrated its third anniversary by holding a celebration in the Strangers’ Bar in the Houses of Parliament, with its own Save The Pub ale brewed by Ilkley Brewery.

Hall and Woodhouse head brewer Toby Heasman was given the top accolade of brewer of the year at the All-Party Parliamentary Annual Beer Awards Dinner last night.

Brewing and pub industry veteran Dave Wickett, founder of Sheffield brewery Kelham Island, has died.