Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood explained

The Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW), founded in 1963, is the oldest consumer-based group interested in stimulating the brewing of, increasing the awareness of, and encouraging the drinking of traditional cask ale.^{[1] [2]} The Society also supports and encourages the use of wooden casks for beer dispense.^[3]

History

The SPBW was founded on 6 December 1963 at the Rising Sun in Epsom, England out of a concern for a perceived decline in both quality and palatability of beer. This was attributed to the increasing use of gas pressure dispense and the introduction of keg beers.

Coopering once had a central and extensive role in British breweries.^[4] In 1963 oak casks were still regarded as synonymous with traditional draught beer, but as metal casks rapidly replaced wooden ones the SPBW relaxed its principles accordingly. Although the Society does not specifically campaign for the use of wooden casks for beer dispense, it supports and encourages breweries and pubs that use them and coopers that produce them.

In the 21st century there has been a revival of interest in "beer from the wood", perhaps inspired by the trend for barrel-aged beer, and this has been welcomed by the SPBW.^[5] The Society's inaugural national beer festival, "Woodfest 2017" took place in Castleford, Yorkshire in July, 2017. Breweries from across the British Isles signed up to showcase their wood-conditioned beers. Hook Norton's "Haymaker" was declared to be Champion beer of the festival.^{[6] [7]}

Aims

The SPBW's aims are similar to those of CAMRA, but the emphasis is on activity within its autonomous branches, which is mainly of a social nature. (CAMRA's approach has been called "more vigorous".)^[8] The SPBW's National Executive Committee maintains contact with breweries and other relevant bodies on issues of concern. It produces a quarterly magazine, Pint in Hand, and organizes an annual National Weekend.

London Pub of the Year

The SPBW annually chooses a London Pub of the Year (LPOTY). The competition was launched in 1980 as a reaction to a "best London pub" competition in a London evening paper, in which beer did not seem to be a significant criterion.^[9] A blog is kept of the LPOTY scoring adventure during the run-up to the award although this lapsed for the 2018 competition.^[10]

Other branches, in particular the Northern Ireland branch, also present local Pub of the Year awards.^[11]

External links

• Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (Official site).
• Protz on Beer. The pub where wood is in pole position.
• Boak and Bailey. Return of the Wood.

See also

• List of beer organisations

Notes and References

1. News: Kitsock. Greg. All We Can Eat - Beer: Wooden you like a pint?. 27 April 2013. The Washington Post. 2 August 2010.
2. Book: Handbook of Alcoholic Beverages: Technical, Analytical and Nutritional Aspects. limited. John Wiley & Sons. 978-0470512029. 44. Alan J. Buglass. 14 February 2011. In the UK, the Society for Preservation of Beer from the Wood (SPBW) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have been fighting against the monopolizing and rationalizing tendencies of big breweries and cider companies since 1963 and 1972, respectively..
3. Web site: Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood - HISTORY Page . 30 November 2019.
4. Web site: THE CRAFT OF MAKING BEER BARRELS . Dredge . Mark . 1 July 2016. All About Beer Magazine . 29 November 2019 .
5. Web site: Return of the Wood . Boak . Jessica . Bailey . Ray . 4 December 2013. Boak & Bailey . 28 November 2019 .
6. News: Richard . Dakin . The Junction, Castleford, W. Yorks, pub review: songs from the wood . . 27 July 2017 . 26 November 2019.
7. News: Coming all the way from USA for a pint in Cas . . 6 July 2017 . 26 November 2019.
8. Book: A history of beer and brewing. 2003. The Royal Society of Chemistry. Cambridge, England. 0-85404-630-5. 679. Ian S. Hornsey. 27 April 2013. The concept of an organisation devoted to the salvation of British beer was not a new one, indeed, the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW) had been formed several years earlier, but CAMRA's approach was a far more vigorous one, and seemed suited to the mood of the time..
9. Web site: Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood - NEWS Page . 29 November 2019.
10. Web site: Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood - LPOTY Page . 29 November 2019.
11. Web site: SPBW Branches . 29 November 2019.