With cask beer sales hit a new campaign says:- "Cask is BACK, so back CASK"

A new campaign launching today is calling on beer drinkers to back British brewing and pubs and opt for a pint of fresh cask beer from a local independent brewery when they return to pubs. Sales of hand pulled cask beer, which can only be sold in pubs, have been hit hard by Coronavirus restrictions, with sales of this fresh British beer down 70% over the last 12 months, but a new campaign is seeking to reverse those fortunes and has the backing of brewers, beer drinkers and publicans alike.

The 'Cask is BACK, so back CASK' campaign has been launched today by the Society of Independent Brewers, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the British Institute of Innkeeping, and Cask Marque, who are championing Britain's National drink, which can only be enjoyed down the pub.

James Calder, SIBA Chief Executive explained:- "Cask beer and pubs go hand in hand and are an important part of our National identity. Because cask beer can only be enjoyed in the pub it's the drink millions of beer lovers across the UK have missed most during lockdown. Whether you're a real ale enthusiast or sometimes beer drinker, we're asking everyone to support their local independent breweries and opt for their 1st pint back in the pub to be some delicious local cask beer. For publicans, those pubs that do cask and do it well will reap the rewards so we're encouraging all in the pub trade to prioritise cask and ensure that 1st pint back is in tip top condition. The message is simple, cask is back, so back cask!"

Tom Stainer, Chief Executive CAMRA commented:- "What makes the Great British pub so unique is delicious, fresh cask beer. It's a drink you can only enjoy in the pub and which millions of people across the UK have not been able to enjoy for much of the last 12 months. So when pubs reopen next week I'd like to invite you to join me in making our 1st pint down the pub a fresh cask beer from a local brewery, you'll not only get a great tasting beer but you'll be supporting local independent breweries and our struggling pub industry."

Steven Alton, CEO of the BII added that:- "Cask ale is a unique attribute to UK pubs and a key point of difference to many BII members, who run professional independent, drink led venues in our local Towns, High Streets and communities. Our pubs need ongoing support to recover their businesses and support fantastic local brewers that make our pubs so special. The BII continues to support members through this critical reopening and long road to recovery of their pubs, as well as the key supply chain businesses that help make the Great British pub part of our nation's heritage."

Paul Nunny, Cask Marque Director responded:- "We have all missed the pub and for a lot of us a pint of Cask Ale will complete our rehabilitation. Serving great cask ale I'm sure will get more people back into the British pub."

National pub group Admiral Taverns have also lent their support:- "We are proud to support British independent breweries by serving local cask beers in all of our pubs. It's a unique product that takes real skill to brew and which our landlords take care to serve to customers in the best possible condition. There really is nothing like a fresh pint of cask beer and we are delighted to be serving it once again to customers in our pubs across the UK" Chris Jowsey, Chief Executive Admiral Taverns."

Cask beer, also known as Real Ale, is Britain's National drink and what makes it unique is its freshness; brewed to be served fresh and hand pulled from chilled pub cellars over a few days.

During lockdown some 5 Million pints of cask beer from small independent breweries had to be poured away, with the brewers who made it left to foot the bill. Those same breweries have been ramping production back up ahead of pubs reopening, so by buying a pint of cask beer you're not only supporting your local pub, but helping out small independent breweries too.
 

Liverpool's LightNight launches Crowdfunder and presses 'Play' on 2021
Photograph taken by Pete Carr.

LIVERPOOL'S LightNight, a 1 night arts festival will return, on Friday, 21 May 2021, with the theme of 'Play.' The popular annual culture crawl is being planned as a hybrid festival with a free trail of physical and online events, as the City continues on its timeline of relaxing restrictions.

Organisers, Open Culture, have launched a:- #LoveLightNight Crowdfunder to help support the cultural programme, allowing the team to continue to work with artists, creatives, performers and producers who make Liverpool such a vibrant City to live in.

The theme 'Play' allows a reflection on the role of arts and culture in escape, creativity and imagination. Working with partner venues, artists and galleries, LightNight's broad series of commissions and works will take place both online and offline for audiences of all ages.

The Crowdfunder asks for funding that would usually be raised through the sale of the printed Festival Guides. With a target of ₤3,500, it plugs a gap in the budget supporting Open Culture in their continued work as new events and artist commissions are created especially for LightNight.

► Contribute to the Crowdfunder and claim a reward at:- CrowdFunder.co.uk/Love-LightNight.

► The full festival events programme will be released on 5 May 2021, on:- LightNightLiverpool.Co.UK.

Charlotte Corrie, Director, Open Culture said:- "LightNight enters its 2nd decade in an unusual and, perhaps confusing, place. We chose the theme of 'Play' because over the past year it has come into sharp focus how much we rely on our artistic community for both levity and reflection. For us at Open Culture, LightNight is an important night when we emerge from winter and celebrate the start of the summer months. That feels especially poignant this year. Our creative community has been hit so hard by 2021, we want to be able to continue to support them in commissioning new works for us to celebrate at LightNight."

Bill Addy is CEO of Liverpool BID Company and Chair of LVEN, Liverpool Visitor Economy Network added:- "Public art and animation is such an important part of life in Liverpool City Centre. It's why we support LightNight every year as its focal point in the calendar for creatives and businesses alike. While LightNight might look a little different in 2021 it's a reminder to continue to support the creatives who help to make Liverpool such a vibrant City to live in."