Is the end of CAMRA?

This was the question ringing throughout the media at the end of March (a day later and it would have been a great April fool!). But since CAMRA’s formation in 1971, the number of breweries in Britain has risen from 200 to over 1,500, with each brewing an average of seven real ales. The limited choice of fizzy carbonated keg beer with bland ingredients has changed to delicious concoctions of thousands of different combinations of ingredients. New technological innovations have been brought in to keep casks fresher for longer, and have helped improved the production and dispense of beer. So has CAMRA done its job?

And that’s the question that CAMRA is now asking. Although CAMRA records that over 11,000 different core real ales were brewed last year, nearly 16,000 pubs have been lost in the last 32 years. Many pubs have been taken over by large operating companies and have lost their identity; often selling national brands and alienating the customer. Overall, beer sales at the bar have declined by almost half over the last forty years as drinking habits have changed; with many people opting for other products. The option to drink at home has become increasingly popular; and many brewers have adapted by creating craft keg or canned products. Clearly, there is still much work to be done to protect our brewing heritage.

So what next? CAMRA’s focus has always been on real ale; but in later years it has campaigned for real cider as well as the rights of pub-goers and licensees. This summer, CAMRA is leading a number of consultation workshops across the country, encouraging as many people as possible to have their say on who should CAMRA represent. This is CAMRA’s revitalisation project. To get involved and take the survey, visit www.camra.org.uk/revitalisation.