CAMRA National Mild Month – May 2009

- 65% of Britain’s alcohol drinkers yet to try Britain’s national drink, real ale

- Britain now brews over 200 Milds, double the number in 1999

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is urging all drinkers of mass-produced lager who have always wanted to try real ale in a pub, but were not sure where to start, to give the beer style ‘Mild’ a try in Mild month as an introduction to the world of real ale.

CAMRA’s research shows that 65% of alcohol drinkers have never tried real ale, although it is perceived by many to be Britain’s national drink. This is surprising when you compare this to only 16% of the French nation who state they have not tried their national drink, wine!

In past reports, many non-real ale drinkers have highlighted they would like to try real ale but either pre-conceive it as being ‘too bitter’ or are not sure of where to start. CAMRA believes Mild could be the answer.

Ruth Tyrrell, CAMRA National Beer Styles Coordinator, said:

‘This campaigning month is a perfect opportunity for those that have showed an initial interest in real ale but are not sure where to start, or think all real ale is bitter, to try a pint of Mild.”

Tyrell continued:

‘There are more than 2,500 different varieties of real ale on today’s market that offer a huge variety of flavour. These are categorised into beer styles such as Bitters, Porters, Stouts, Golden Ales, Barley Wines and of course Mild.  If a non-real drinker thinks all real beer is bitter then I would encourage them to try a pint of Mild, they will be pleasantly surprised. Mild beer is very tasty and refreshing but unlike bitters, they are usually more malty and sweet. 40% of consumers that try real ale for the first time continue to drink it regularly. Trying Mild could be a great introduction to the superb world of real ale for many consumers across Britain!’

Mild beers have been served in Britain’s historic public houses for centuries, and have had great success in CAMRA beer awards over the last decade with Hobsons Mild (Worcestershire) and Moorhouse’s Black Cat (Lancashire) classed as Supreme Champion Beers of Britain in recent years.

Once classified as an ‘endangered beer style’, there currently more than 200 Mild beers produced in the UK, an upsurge from 1999 when there were only 88 Mild beers being produced.

CAMRA has supplied hundreds of pubs across Britain with promotional packs that include pump-clip crowners to highlight what Milds are on at the bar plus posters and leaflets to help educate more consumers on the beer style Mild.

JD Wetherspoon, which has over 700 pubs across Britain, has announced they will have 4 different Milds available in a number of their outlets during the month, including some additional Milds available from local brewers in selected pubs.

Tyrrell concluded:

‘One of the reasons why National Mild Month is so important is it raises the public profile of innovative UK brewers who devise so many wonderful new recipes and ideas, which I think licensees can draw inspiration from. Mild Month is a great campaign that helps consumers, pubs and the real ale brewing industry.’

A definitive list of Milds brewed in the UK can be viewed at www.camra.org.uk/trymild

To find out more about National Mild Month, the Mild events in your region and Milds to try during May please visit www.camra.org.uk/mild