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Think Globally, Drink Locally

20 Dec 2001

"Think globally, drink locally" is this year's festive message from Friends of the Earth. Christmas drinkers can reduce their environmental impact by choosing locally produced beer over the holiday period. By drinking locally, consumers can reduce the distance beer travels by road, sea and air and support their local economy at the same time.

Between 1989 and 1997 the market share of regional and micro- breweries dropped from 15% to 13%.By 1998 four breweries controlled 83% of the market [1].

Some local breweries are committed to buying local or UK ingredients. Estimates put the "beer miles"of all ingredients used to produce a barrel of beer as high as 24,000 miles. For example, some hops are imported from New Zealand _ even though they can be grown in the UK. Thirty per cent of Europe's hops are imported from the United States [2].

Pete Riley, Senior Real Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"We can all do our bit to ensure that the planet doesn't suffer an enormous hangover when we're drinking this Christmas by choosing locally produced beer. Reducing the distance beer travels cuts pollution and gives the local economy a welcome boost."

Jonathan Mail, Public Affairs Manager at the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said:

"Britain's 400 small brewers brew high quality beers for local markets, supporting local jobs and promoting local choice. Not only does the beer they produce increase consumer choice but because the beer is drunk locally it also means fewer food miles and therefore less damage to our environment."

A selection of regional breweries are attached. This is not a comprehensive list. For more information see the CAMRA website : www.camra.org.uk/

FOE does not encourage the public to drink to excess, whether it's locally produced or not!

FOE campaigners will be unavailable for comment after 1pm on Monday 24 December whilst they carry out further research.

1. Bitter harvest, bitter beer. Sustain report 1999.
2. European Imports of Horticultural Products - www.fas.usda.gov/htp2/circular/2000/00-02/euimp.htm

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