CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale

CAMRA campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer rights. We are an independent, voluntary organisation with over 90,000 members and have been described as the most successful consumer group in Europe. CAMRA promotes good-quality real ale and pubs, as well as acting as the consumer's champion in relation to the UK and European beer and drinks industry. We aim to:

- Protect and improve consumer rights
- Promote quality, choice and value for money
- Support the public house as a focus of community life
- Campaign for greater appreciation of traditional beers, ciders and perries as part of our national heritage and culture
- Seek improvements in all licensed premises and throughout the brewing industry

Founded in 1971, CAMRA is possibly the world’s most successful consumer organisation and now has more than 105,000 members.  Over the years, it has succeeded in persuading breweries to continue or re-start brewing real, cask-conditioned ale and to publish for the first time the strength of their beers.  It has campaigned to save breweries from closure and encouraged the spectacular growth of small breweries over the past three decades - approximately 700 breweries in Britain now brew more than 2,500 different real ales, more than at any time since the Second World War.  CAMRA has also been at the forefront of campaigning for reform of both the licensing laws and of the tied house system and unfair leases which many tenants must endure.

CAMRA has vociferously opposed the closure of many community pubs, which are threatened by unfair ties and leases, high beer prices and competition from unregulated supermarket cut-price offers.

CAMRA also publishes the national Good Beer Guide – now in its 37th edition –and the leading guide to Britain’s best pubs and beer.  This is the only guide for which the entries are democratically selected by CAMRA members at local level.

CAMRA is organised nationally into local area “branches” of volunteer members, supported by a small full-time team at national HQ in St Albans and various elected national volunteer committees, including the National Executive.

Members organise many social events including regular beer festivals, such as the Richmond Ale Festival (15-17 October 2010) and the national Great British Beer Festival at London’s Earl’s Court (3-7 August 2010).

You are most welcome to attend your local CAMRA meeting and to get involved in your local branch. Branch activities range from socials which can include visiting local pubs and breweries to running a beer festival or producing a local newsletter and guide.

Getting involved in your local branch is a great way to find out more about CAMRA's campaigns and real ale.

Please visit www.camra.org.uk for further information.