Pubs across Cornwall and the South West hosted a series of fun-packed events to celebrate Britain’s national drink as part of Cask Ale Week (March 29 to April 5). 

St Austell Brewery marked the week with a range of great ale-orientated events designed to promote cask ale and encourage people to give it a go. 

Kick-starting the celebrations was a Ladies Ale Night at the Rashleigh Arms in Charlestown (March 29), which included guided tastings, musical entertainment and a presentation from Roger Ryman, St Austell’s award-winning head brewer. 

The Bishop of Truro, the Right Rev Tim Thornton, visited St Austell Brewery on March 31 to meet staff and view the brewing process. While there, he said a prayer for the brewery and blessed its beers. 

Bishop Tim blessed the brewery for its innovation, its benefits to the local economy and its success in showing off what Cornwall has to offer to the rest of the country. He also enjoyed a pint of Tribute, St Austell’s flagship ale. 

The world’s foremost beer writer Roger Protz hosted an extra special tutored beer tasting event on April 1 in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. Roger writes for The Guardian and the Times, as well as numerous specialist publications. 

Jeremy Mitchell, Director of Marketing at St Austell Brewery, said: “We have enjoyed a year on year sales growth of 20% for our cask ales, lead by Tribute and Proper Job, so real ale is a British tradition which is very much alive and well. 

“Cask Ale Week gives us the opportunity to have a bit of fun, spread the message and to encourage people who have not previously tried cask ale to give it a try.”