September / October 2024

West Midlands Region Feedback

Message from our Regional Director Shelly Bentley.
Shelly, and the Campaign as a whole, acknowledges all the hard work undertaken by the volunteers and general membership. Whether it is being part of the 26 branches across the midlands, volunteering at beer festivals, or simply by submitting beer scores and delivering branch magazines. Without those people, the campaign would cease to exist – Thank you, one and all.

CAMRA has always attempted to keep ‘on trend’ with its image, and as such has commissioned a new logo, which will be introduced at the start of 2025. Pubs and clubs closures are still a concern. Over the past 12 months, across the West Midlands, we have seen the closure of 88 pubs & clubs, with the opening of 12 new venues.

Recently, CAMRA has been trialling its new ‘CAMRA Experience’, (https://www1.camra.org.uk) an update and merger of the National website and WhatPub. One feature of the new website, available to all members, is the Beer Quality Scheme (BQS). When logged-in, members can see additional features such as the latest beer scores and the BQS accreditation which is indicated by pint glass symbols.
There are five levels of accreditation, all of which are driven by beer scores submitted through CAMRA’s National Beer Scoring System (NBSS).
Three Full Pints A pub that has achieved an average NBSS score of 3.6 and above.
Two Full Pints A pub that has achieved an average NBSS score of between 3.0 and 3.5.
One Full Pint A pub that has achieved an average NBSS score between 2.5 and 2.9.
One Empty Pints A pub that has achieved an average NBSS score of below 2.5.
If no Pint symbols are present, there has been no NBSS scores submitted for that pub over a given period (currently 12 months).

Local MP shows support for pubs & breweries

CAMRA’s Tom Steiner (right) lobbied MP’s to pledge their support for pubs and breweries at a drop-in event at the House of Commons, ahead of Rachel Reaves’ first budget.

Local MP, Jodie Gosling (centre) was one of the many MP’s that were willing to support the call for a better deal for the business sector.

Champion Beer of Britain

The search for the 2026 Champion Beer of Britain has started. Members are invited to nominate the best beers from the West Midlands region to progress to the National competition. To participate in the process, and support our local brewers please visit www.cbob.camra.org.uk The competition closes on the 3rd November

Vacancies:

still exist for the following: Treasurer - to look after the financial aspects of the branch.
Magazine distributor(s) – to deliver the branch magazine to Stockingford / Bedworth / Bulkington / Attleborough / Weddington areas.
Pubs Officer(s) – to liaise with ALL publicans in the branch area and update CAMRA’s Pub database.
GBG (Good Beer Guide) Co-Ordinator – to ensure CAMRA’s pub database is up to date.
Social Secretary – to organize and publicize branch social events and monthly meetings.

If you are interested in any of the above positions, please contact: ku.gro.armac.notaenun@ofni