The Eye

There are more than 2,000 different real ales produced in Britain. According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) this is more than at any time since 1971. Around 80 new breweries begain producing real ale in the past year alone.

Each of about 500 “micro breweries” across Britain produce up to 30,000 barrels of real ale every year.

That means one out of every five barrels of cask beer is now made by micro breweries - up from 14% in 2003.

The UK government’s reduction in duty for small breweries has helped boost the number of new producers.

Those that like a good pint of beer with character and taste are turning to real ales more and more. The over hyped national brands such as Fosters, John Smiths, and others are avoided as they lack any kind of taste.

The Society of Independent Brewers, which represents most of Britain’s small breweries, reported a 12% sales increase for most members in its 2005 annual report.

The big breweries seem to simply concentrate on volume and profit and rely on heavy TV advertising to promote their products.

Roger Protz from CAMRA says “Beers with aroma and flavour are back in vogue and smaller breweries are rushing to meet the clamour from consumers.”