Campaign For Really WOKE Ale: Beer enthusiasts told not to say ‘pub crawl’ or ‘happy hour’ to be more inclusive and end ‘lad culture’ around drinking
- The group is advised to avoid phrases like ‘join the lads for a swift few after work’
- Members are to say they are going on a ‘pub tour’ where they will ‘savour a pint’
- CAMRA was established in 1971 to campaign for the survival of quality real ales
Beer enthusiasts have been told not to say ‘pub crawl’ or ‘happy hour’ to be more inclusive and end ‘lad culture’ around drinking.
Members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) should avoid using phrases such as ‘join the lads for a swift few after work’ as they could put off women from joining in.
The updated guidelines instead advise members to say they are embarking on a ‘pub tour’ where they will ‘savour a pint’.
Earlier this year, the group launched a diversity drive in a bid to lose its ‘male, pale and stale image’ and attract more ethnic minorities, women and gay people.
Beer enthusiasts have been told not to say ‘pub crawl’ or ‘happy hour’ to be more inclusive and end ‘lad culture’ around drinking
Members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) should avoid using phrases such as ‘join the lads for a swift few after work’ as they could put off women from joining in
‘We want to connect in a positive way with everybody. We are welcoming to all,’ a statement on the CAMRA website reads.
‘Avoid “lad culture” overtones which can be alienating to many. Beer banter is fine, just make sure it’s inclusive to everyone.
‘Terms such as “pub crawl” and “happy hour” should be avoided. Instead, use alternatives such as “pub tour” and encourage the “savouring of a pint”.
‘Empathy with our members is paramount. Treat your colleagues to a drink after work, rather than “join the lads for a swift few”.’
CAMRA was established in 1971 to campaign for the survival of a wide variety of traditionally brewed quality real ales.
It now boasts 160,000 members and 45 paid staff, working out of headquarters in St Albans.
However, the ‘brand guidelines’ have drawn criticism from members, with one saying: ‘Just call it what you want and don’t be cowed or bogged down by what terminology Camra deems is safe.’
The updated guidelines instead advise members to say they are embarking on a ‘pub tour’ where they will ‘savour a pint’
Earlier this year, the group launched a diversity drive in a bid to lose its ‘male, pale and stale image’ and attract more ethnic minorities, women and gay people
According to The Telegraph, another commented: ‘I have never in my life met a person who believed that a pub crawl literally meant drinking so much that you could not get to the next.’
Tom Stainer, the chief executive of CAMRA, said: ‘Our brand guidelines were updated in 2019 to provide guidance to our volunteers on fostering an inclusive and welcoming CAMRA experience for all.
‘We believe that pubs play a vital role in providing a natural home for responsible drinking in a supervised environment and that moderate beer consumption can play a role in a healthy lifestyle.
‘CAMRA is a fun, sociable environment for beer and cider drinkers to enjoy their favourite drink together, whether that be in the pub or at their local beer festival.’
In 2019, younger reformers of the real ale campaign group accused the ‘sexist’ old guard of treating the organisation like a ‘pensioners drinking club’.
The feud was made public after seven people, all in their early forties or younger, wrote a scathing letter claiming the organisation was ‘riddled with allegations of sexism and cronyism’.
It comes after a traditional village pub was dropped from the Good Beer Guide – for being too popular.
Snooty reviewers marked down the award-winning Holly Bush Inn – a picturesque 17th century watering hole – as they found it too busy, there were children in the bar and they served food at lunchtime.
It means that the pub in the village of Makeney near Belper, Derbyshire, won’t be in the new edition of the real ale drinkers’ ‘bible’ for the first time in ten years – despite recently getting a ten-out-of-ten rating from the prestigious European Bar Guide.
The inn has been run by Alex, 42, and Chris Wilbraham, 46, for the last 11 years.
The pub was also penalised for allowing children into the pub, though Alex insisted there were areas closed off to youngsters.