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BEER NEWS - February 2008

No sign of weakness

In these days of hyped-up media furore over binge drinking and alcohol abuse, it's interesting to see that a low alcohol beer has been awarded "Champion Mild of East Anglia" by CAMRA at the Colchester Winter Ale Festival, as well as picking up Bronze in the overall "Champion Beer" competition. Greene King's 3% ABV XX Mild ale mild won after being tasted by a panel of 12 CAMRA members from across the region. Greene King Head brewer, John Bexon, was presented with the award (right) and Justin Adams, Greene King's managing director said, "We're really delighted that XX Mild has been recognised by CAMRA. As industry leaders in cask ale, we have been brewing a mild beer at Bury St Edmunds since the 1800's. The lower ABV of mild has a loyal fan base and we look forward to continue to serve them well."
  

Kentish by name....


   Kent brewer Shepherd Neame fought-off stiff competition to win the EU Protected Food Name Exporter of the Year award at the Food from Britain Export Awards 2007. The award went to the company for their Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale, and recognised the company's "outstanding commitment to protecting the unique character, reputation and heritage of its products abroad." Indeed, the Kentish Ale holds an EU Protected Geographical Indication, the same regional produce protection afforded to Parma ham and Champagne for example. Already popular everywhere from Germany and France to Hong Kong and Russia, Shepherd Neame' Export Manager Nick Harding (Shown left, receiveing the award) commented, "We're
so pleased to have won this prestigious award. A great deal of effort goes into protecting the unique provenance of Spitfire Ale: it is made using only locally-sourced hops and barley and water from the brewery's own artesian well. We shall to go on flying the flag for British produce internationally for many years to come."

Fuller's Springs into action

Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., London�s traditional family brewer, is pleased to announce the beers that will feature in its Spring Beer Festival 2008. Three different beers will be available for one month each. February�s beer, coinciding with the opening weekend of the Rugby Union Six Nations, will be Gales Swing Low, an English ale brewed to 3.8% ABV.
  
Following in March will be Gales Festival Mild, a premium mild at 4.8% ABV and then finally, in April, Fuller's India Pale Ale will be available. At 4.8% ABV. John Roberts, managing director of the Fuller's Beer Company, said: "Fuller's seasonal beer festivals are an opportunity for us to showcase some of the wide range of beers in our portfolio. "Regular Fuller's drinkers will have known about these beers for a while, but quality, crafted ales like ours are increasingly gaining the attention of the general public, who are looking for something above the norm when they reach the bar.

Batemans plays Cupid


   OK, in beer-pages' opinion this smacks a little of desparation in the marketing stakes, but maybe we just need some romance in our lives! Lincolnshire based Batemans says it is "helping publicans and customer alike to drink up the mood of romance this Valentine's Day," with the launch of its two new heart-shaped pump-clips for its flagship XXXB (Triple XB) and XB ales, which are "guaranteed to get the beer-lovers hearts' pumping." The clips carry
the language of love with their lipstick kisses and star imagery, and Batemans Marketing Director, Jaclyn Bateman says: "XXXB and XB are favourites all year round but with the new Valentine Pump Clips we expect cupid's arrow to pull a few extra heartstrings this February."

CAMRA Winter Festival

Recapping on the all the medal-winners from the CAMRA Winter Ale Festival held in Manchester in January: Old Ales and Strong Milds category: Gold: Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose; Silver: West Berkshire Maggs Magnificent Mild; Bronze Highland Dark Munro. Stout category: Gold: Hop Back Entire Stout; Silver: Spitting Feathers Old Wavertonian; Bronze: Spire Sgt Pepper Stout. Porter category: Gold: Wickwar Station Porter; Silver: E&S; Elland 1872 Porter; Bronze: Acorn Old Moor Porter. Barley Wine category: Gold: Robinson's Old Tom; Silver: Durham Benedictus; Bronze: Mighty Oak Saxon Strong. Wickwar Station Porter was named overal Champion.
  
  

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