Beer in the United Kingdom

What two ideas are more inseparable than Beer and Britannia? ~ Sydney Smith

Beer in the United Kingdom has a long history, and has quite distinct traditions. Historically the main styles were top-fermented Bitters, Porters, Stouts and Milds, but after World War II lagers took over half the market by volume. The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) was founded in 1971 and has encouraged the preservation and revival of traditional styles of ale. In particular CAMRA has promoted cask conditioned beer, which completes its maturation in casks in the cellar of the pub rather than at the brewery. As of 2014 the UK drank 634 million pints (3.6 million hectolitres) of cask ale, representing 60% of ale in pubs and restaurants and 17% of all beer in pubs.

Quotes

• What two ideas are more inseparable than Beer and Britannia?
  • Sydney Smith, as quoted in The Smith of Smiths: Being the Life, Wit and Humour of Sydney Smith, by Hesketh Pearson

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Beer in the United Kingdom on Wikipedia