UK: “Make May Mild” says CAMRA

MAY is Mild Month and the Campaign for Real Ale is asking licensees and breweries to join the celebrations by stocking this fantastic beer style and encouraging customers to try it, CAMRA posted on March 21.

Mild is a beer that is less hopped and usually of a lower alcohol content than many other styles. It gets much of its flavour from malts or roasted barley and has long been regarded as a refreshing ale.

Tracy Saunders, Chair of CAMRA’s Light and Dark Supporters Group which campaigns specifically for Britain’s endangered beer styles, said: “Some Milds are brewed seasonally and so the best time to find them is in May. We are asking licensees to stock at least one mild during the month of May and take advantage of the free packs from CAMRA that can be used to promote it.”

The focus of Mild Month promotional activities will be Saturday 6th May, which CAMRA labels ‘National Mild Day’. This is when local CAMRA branches will undertake campaigning activities at a local level, organising events such as mild trails, mild tastings and other mild focused events. A listing of these activities will be available on the CAMRA website nearer the time.

Tracy continued: “Last year we conducted research that revealed there are more varieties of Mild being brewed than ever before. However we believe that few breweries do enough to promote it. We urge them to get on board and do all they can to put Mild back on the map.”

In addition, CAMRA is launching its Drinkers’ Choice Competition where the public can nominate the best Milds they have tried in May and be entered into a prize draw to judge the Champion Mild of Britain at this year’s Great British Beer Festival. Full details are contained in the licensee packs.

CAMRA research in 2005 found that there are 154 regularly available Milds and 20 seasonal brews currently available in the UK.

Recommended Milds: Tasting notes taken from the Good Beer Guide

* Gale’s Festival Mild: Winner of Gold in the Old Ales and Strong Milds Category at The National Winter Ales Festival 2006

“Black in colour with a red tinge. The aroma is of fruit and caramel. A sweet, fruity and malty taste with some toffee, carries through to the aftertaste where there is more bitterness.”

* Grainstore Rutland Panther: Winner of Gold in the Mild category of Champion Beer of Britain 2005 and winner of silver in the final.

“The drinkability of a mild or light bitter, combined with the roast flavours associated with a stout.”

* Brains Dark: Champion Mild of Wales and silver winner in the mild category of Champion Beer of Britain 2006

“Dark brown with a satisfying mix of malt, roast and caramel flavours. Initially sweet then becoming bitter sweet, with a background of hops throughout and a lasting finish of malt and roast.”


The Great British Beer Festival is being held in London’s Earls Court from August 1st -5th.

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