Home News Pubs minister joins Beer Day Britain celebrations for Magna Carta Anniversary

Pubs minister joins Beer Day Britain celebrations for Magna Carta Anniversary

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Community Pubs minister Marcus Jones raises his glass to mark the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary.

Community Pubs minister Marcus Jones raises his glass today (15 June 2015) to mark the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary and celebrate the first-ever Beer Day Britain, which aims to raise the profile of the British beer and pubs industry.

At 12.15pm, the minister will take part in a nationwide toast, joining thousands of community pub patrons and beer lovers across the country.

This is something campaigners want people to capture on social media – using the #CheersBDB hashtag – by posting photographs of themselves with a pint of British beer.

This clinking of glasses coincides with today’s 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. The landmark charter of liberties, one of the most celebrated documents in history, dates back to 1215 and even mentions what was then the nation’s favourite drink, beer.

Clause 35 of the Magna Carta states there should be a single measure for ale throughout the United Kingdom. This measure was called the London Quarter and is the equivalent of 2 pints.

Mr Jones said:

“The Great British Pub is a national treasure which is why we are determined to protect it. We should all be proud of our nation’s great history as a brewing powerhouse, therefore it is only right we celebrate Beer Day Britain alongside the Magna Carta today.

“I am told that in medieval times a standard measure of beer was the equivalent of 2 pints – called the London quarter – so while our glasses may now be smaller, our love for British beer remains as great as ever.”

According to industry figures, some 27.4 million barrels of beer were sold in Britain last year. This equates to 7.9 billion pints. The Good Beer Guide 2015 revealed there are now more than 1,285 breweries in Britain.

Jane Peyton, beer sommelier and founder of Beer Day Britain, said:

“How fortunate we are in Britain to be able to drink the best beer in the world in the best pubs in the world.

“Pubs are national treasures and I will be visiting a few of my favourites on Beer Day Britain to raise a glass and say ‘cheers to beer’.”

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