A Call to Arms
This, of course, has had a noticeable impact on malt sales, including ours at Warminster. Our industry is already impacted by a significantly reduced demand for malt in Scotland where distilleries are struggling to cope with a huge bout of indigestion. At least that is how analysts describe the problem with whisky. A problem that they say, based on historical evidence, might resolve itself over the next 12 or 24 months.
But there is an overriding question that is open to debate: to what extent is any of this down to a sea-change in drinking habits? To what extent is a whole new generation turning against alcohol, and therefore, unconsciously, contributing to the demise of British Beer, the closure of pubs and bars, and threatening the whole of our supply trade?
The good news is that as far as our sector is concerned, there is an urgent industry wide discussion already taking place, with all stakeholders, from farmers to publicans, contributing. Everything is being talked about from the promotion of British Beer, to how brewers and publicans might address the excuse for not visiting the pub “because it is too expensive”. The latter is partly about the price of a pint, of course, but also the need to change the food offer to simpler and cheaper quality menus.
We, at Warminster Maltings, have ‘signed up’ to do our bit towards addressing this challenge. We are currently channelling our thoughts through the Maltsters Association of Great Britain (MAGB), the maltsters spokesman for the industry wide discussions. But we will be happy to consider other initiatives if invited.
In a very recent survey of our greatest British Icons, ‘British Beer’, and ‘The Pub’ were right up there at the top alongside the ‘Royal Family’. Over recent years the Royals have worked very hard to protect their status, and we now need to work hard to protect ours. Do, please, let us know your views, and anything more we can do to help.
