Jealous
World's Biggest Beer Festival Kicks Off
The world's biggest beer festival begins today in London.Thousands of beer suppers are expected to flock to - and stagger back from - the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia.More than 600 varieties of beer are expected to be served to around 45,000 visitors over five days.
More than 200,000 pints are expected to be sold at the festival, at a rate of 1.56 pints a second.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which is behind the event, also wants to draw attention to the plight of Britain's community pubs.
Research shows 26 pubs are being shut down every month, according to CAMRA.
It is launching the Community Pubs Foundation to help fight the closures.
It is asking visitors to the festival to make donations to the Foundation, which will provide advice, information and small grants to help communities save their locals from going under.
Mike Benner, chief executive of CAMRA, said "urgent action" is needed, with pub closures now up from 20 a month in 2000.
He said: "The pub provides a place for local groups to meet and a safe environment for friends and family to relax and enjoy each other's company.
"The loss of a valued community pub will have a negative impact on the local economy, community and tourism. Sixty-nine per cent of people recognise the important role pubs play in community life."
mmmmmmm..............BEER!!!!!........WISH I COULD GO!!......ANYONE WANNA BABYSIT?
|