| | Good evening, What do you think of when asked to imagine a member of Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale?
I’ll hazard a guess that a middle aged chap with a fine beard and a beer belly comes to mind.
I’ve a lot of time for Camra. Since the 70s, they have ensured that proper ale - the stuff lovingly brewed and placed in casks - has survived the onslaught of keg beer, tied pubs et al. That was at a time when real ale barely existed in this country, so they have been hugely successful in changing that.
In fact they have been so successful that real and craft ales are now a flourishing industry and some of us will travel miles in search of that perfect pint.
But like many organisations, Camra feels it needs to change to encourage women, gay people and those from ethnic groups to get involved.
Many women, myself included, already thoroughly enjoy a pint of real ale - but haven’t joined Camra when we probably should support them.
Good luck to them - and if there’s a pint of Copper Dragon Golden Pippin on offer, I might even join myself. Until next time, take care, Gillian | |
