Four foreign-owned corporations make 80% of it. The 'imported' lager in your hand was probably brewed in Burton-on-Trent. That craft IPA on the bar is owned by Heineken. Here's how we lost our pint — and how to win it back.



CAMRA’s ground-breaking Beer in the UK report is the authoritative consumer view on the UK beer market. The report lays bare the stark state of British brewing – that it is dominated by four international conglomerates with little affinity with our brewing heritage, or what beer drinkers want.

“Today, Britain only brews two thirds the amount it used to. (Half our pints and most of our established brewers, gone in a generation.)"

“Your 'continental' lager was probably made just off the M1. (So-called 'imports' are being brewed in Northampton, Burton-on-Trent and Hartlepool — with a Union Jack swapped for a foreign flag.)"

“Seven of the UK's ten best-selling 'craft beers' are made by the big four.”

“Drinkers want indie beer. The market won't let them have it. (Four corporations are making sure you drink what they want to sell, not what you want to buy.)”

If all this makes you angry — good. Time to do something about it...

You can read the report here:

camra.org.uk/beer-report

CAMRA has campaigned for the rights of beer drinkers and pub-goers since 1971. We've saved thousands of pubs, protected cask beer, and kept independent brewing alive. But we can't do it without members.
So if you're not already a member, please consider joining CAMRA here: camra.org.uk/join

The CAMRA Bristol & District branch is the fourth largest in the country with around 2,500 members. We have a strong track record of promoting real ale and championing pubs in our branch area. Over many years the core activities of selecting pubs for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide, judging the Pub of the Year, organising beer festivals and running social activities have been popular and enjoyable.

The branch has an active committee and it's the committee members who play a crucial role in shaping the branch's activities and events that support the local real ale culture. While we have capable and active members we now find our numbers are falling meaning that some roles are being stretched and that we have less people doing more. Planning ahead and being proactive, we are now looking for new volunteers to help continue that work.

Joining a committee is not a quick decision, so we are publicising the need now well ahead of this year's Annual General Meeting, although involvement can start anytime. This means that anyone who is potentially interested in a role will have time to think about it, talk to existing members at one of our social events or even attend committee meetings as an observer.

We will mention several roles below. While we currently have some of those roles filled we are able to reshuffle them as needed in order to ensure that the best people end up in the right place that they want. Some job sharing and duplication with deputies would help with throughput and resilience as well; many hands make light work!

All roles have been around a while, are easily understood and are well supported by the wider group with the availability of advice and shadowing. We have quite a few tools at our disposal now to make the work easier — email, social media, web and Zoom — so plenty of ways to get the job done with plenty of scope for creative approaches. While there are regular monthly committee meetings that take place, its not essential to attend all the meetings as long as people can stay in touch. You don't need prior experience — just an interest in real ale and a willingness to get involved. Whether you have a few hours a month or more to contribute, your involvement will be valued and rewarding and you will enjoy it.

We currently have openings for the following roles:

Social Secretary — organises socials, pub walks, and branch outings.

Good Beer Guide Coordinator — oversees the selection process for including local pubs in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.

Public Transport Officer — champions accessible travel to pubs and events using public transport.

Young Members Representative — represents and helps engage younger members and bring fresh ideas to the branch.

Social Media Coordinator - manages a branch's online presence and engages with members and the public across social platforms.

Beer Festival Manager – oversees the organisation of the local beer festival in accordance with CAMRA's guidelines.

Pubs Officer – coordinates  pub‑related campaigning and helps protect pubs in the branch area from closure, harmful change or loss of heritage values.

Member Without Portfolio – has no specific area to look after but participates in meetings and discussions. A good starting point.

If any of these roles sound like a good fit, or if you'd simply like to find out more, we'd be delighted to hear from you. We encourage you to be in contact to ask any questions, and discover how you can help make a difference in Bristol's vibrant beer scene: We'd love to welcome you! In the first place please contact the Bristol & District branch secretary ku.gro.lotsirbarmac@engatreb.m.  

Cheers!  
Michael Bertagne
Branch Sectretary

I’m delighted to share the results of the 2026 Champion Beer of Britain, the overall winners of which have just been announced at the CAMRA Cambridge Beer Festival.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are:

Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, Independence, 4.6% (Bristol)

Silver: Cairngorm, Wildcat, 5.1% (Aviemore, Scotland)

Bronze: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5% (St Agnes, Cornwall)

Some great results for breweries in the South West region!

https://www.bristol247.com/food-and-drink/pubs-and-bars/cider-bar-pop-up-hopes-become-permanent/

The Cider Cellar on Frogmore Street is from the team behind BumbleBee Cider who are mostly serving their own ciders on tap within two former garages near the Hatchet.

BumbleBee co-owners Jess Higgins and Wesley Bodman hope to one day make their pop-up premises permanent, but for now are open when they are not busy making cider