Press Release

Become a Golden Supporter

For Immediate Release: Tuesday 26^th June 2001

REal Ale, REal Food and REgeneration in Digbeth

Brum's second organic wine and beer festival

Two leading lights in the regeneration of Digbeth are getting together to combine organic beer and an organic barbie.

Birmingham's second first Organic Beer Festival is to be held from 28th June to 1st July at the Anchor Public House, Rea Street, Digbeth[1]. Following on from last years first successful nationwide organic beer festival there will also be an organic barbie to please both non-meat and meat-eaters alike provided by Birmingham Friends of the Earth from 6pm-9pm on Friday 29^th June. This year there will also be a range of organic wines available.

Gerry Keane of the Anchor said:

"Building on our first organic beer festival in the UK, we have a much larger range of beers than last year. This must show that the brewers are meeting the demand that is out there for organic beer. We have 15 brews from all over the country and this indeed is looking like an annual event for us We will also have a range of organic wines available."

Nick Whittingham of Birmingham Friends of the Earth said:

"Last year we worked with The Anchor during Friends of the Earths Real Food week to promote the food and products people want, not the food multinational companies want us to eat. We are really excited that The Anchor has found this a worthwhile venture and that the Organic Beer Festival is part of their annual business plan. This is a great way of showing that organic produce is mainstream and growing from strength to strength."

Chris Crean from West Midlands Friends of the Earth said:

"Regeneration is the name of the game in Digbeth and here are two locally based small business showing the way forward."

Editor's Notes

[1] The Anchor is Birmingham's premier Real Ale pub and has been the Birmingham Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub of the year a twice in 1997 and 1999. There is always a wide choice of brews while regular beer festivals and themed weekends are held throughout the year.