CAMRA celebrates cask beer around the world

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has collaborated with beer writer, journalist and campaigner for racial equality, David Jesudason, to release a three-part series, Cask Around the World, for its award-winning Learn & Discover platform. David was awarded the British Guild of Beer Writer’s award for best communication about diversity in beer and pubs in 2022.

The three new articles have been developed for CAMRA’s online educational platform Learn & Discover, which is home to a wealth of content from writers, filmmakers and industry experts. Guides, articles, videos and audio material explore everything there is to know about beer, cider, perry and pubs. For connoisseurs wishing to deep dive further into the world of beer and cider, CAMRA also offers in-depth articles exclusively for members*. The platform was awarded the 2021 award for Best Beer Writer – Corporate Communications by the British Guild of Beer Writers.

The first episode is freely available for CAMRA members and non-members alike:

• Cask Around the World Part 1 – Travelling to Brussels, David looks into the practicalities of serving UK-style beers abroad and how cask is received by both the licensees and their customers at the Belgian bar GIST.

Episodes two and three are exclusively available for CAMRA members:

• Cask Around the World Part 2 – The Dandelion in Philadelphia, US welcomes David to talk about how British cask beer, which is imported by boat, is proving popular with American drinkers.
• Cask Around the World Part 3 – The final episode goes all the way to South America where David meets the owner of the famed Argentinian bar, Notre Dame, which even hosts its own cask beer festival – the first and only in Latin America to be supported by CAMRA.

David has featured previously on Learn & Discover:

• What was the Colour Bar? – Unveiling the unsavoury history of racial segregation within British pubs, David’s eye-opening article reveals how black and Asian pubgoers were forced to drink in a separate room or refused service completely. The thought-provoking piece details that even US civil rights leader Malcolm X was declined service in a London pub and puts a spotlight on the hostile reception received by the first pub landlords of colour.

As well as writing for the educational platform, CAMRA’s upcoming book Desi Pubs by David Jesudason is released May 17. This new title is a celebration of our modern multicultural country. David has travelled the length and breadth of the country, visiting ‘desi pubs’ run by British-Indian landlords who have stamped their unique identity on the beloved institution that is the pub.

Alex Metcalfe, CAMRA’s Learning & Discovery Manager, said: “It’s a privilege to collaborate with a writer of David’s calibre, both for CAMRA and the Learn & Discover platform. Readers will see cask beer in a new light, giving further appreciation to the skill of hard-working publicans that keep ale well maintained. The articles may even inspire your next spot of beer tourism over the summer holidays!

“I am excited for the future of Learn & Discover and I cannot wait to release all the upcoming content planned for this summer. Cider lovers will be eager to know with May being one of CAMRA’s designated Cider and Perry months, there will be some excellent material about the fermented beverage very soon.

“Our YouTube channel is also growing from strength to strength, now with over 1000 subscribers, so viewers can expect more exciting videos in the future too.

“CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival returns 1-5 August 2023 at Olympia London, as does the interactive Learn & Discover bar, which is a fantastic opportunity to meet brewers and cider makers at the flagship event. Curious festivalgoers will have the ability to talk to industry experts about the ingredients and methods of crafting their favourite drink. Keep an eye out for upcoming press releases and social media announcements about the very special guests!”