Beer Industry Press Releases

A range of beers from Glasgow-based WEST Brewery, Bar & Restaurant are to be made available in the East of Scotland for the first time following a deal struck with Gastro Taverns, the rapidly expanding bar and restaurant group with half a dozen outlets spread across Fife and Grampian.

WEST was regarded by Julian Mobbs, Managing Director of Gastro Taverns, as the ideal brewer for his firm.

“Our policy is to offer menus made up of farm fresh food purchased, where possible, within a 40 mile radius of our outlets and to work with speciality Scottish food and drink suppliers with exceptional quality produce,” he said.

“When I tasted the quality and authenticity of Helles, WEST’s signature Munich-style lager beer, I knew I had to stock it in Gastro Taverns.”

WEST brewery owner Petra Wetzel said, “I’m absolutely delighted that such a respected and successful operator as Gastro Taverns has chosen to put Helles into its outlets and am confident that its customers will enjoy its clean, crisp taste.

“We are the first UK brewery to produce all of our beers in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot, known as the German Purity Law. We only use the four core ingredients of water, malt, hops and yeast in brewing all our beers, adding no artificial additives, colouring or preservatives. That means that Gastro Taverns’ customers can now enjoy a speciality quality beer brewed right here in Scotland.”

WEST, based at the iconic Templeton Building at Glasgow Green, produces a full range of beers, from cool, crisp lagers, through to clean-tasting wheat beers and a full range of unique and seasonal styles. Helles is brewed with carefully selected imported ingredients to create a crisp and clean beer with satisfying malt sweetness, complemented by delicate hop bitterness (ABV 4.9%).

A supporter of the ‘What’s on your Plate’ campaign for Scottish food and farming, Gastro Taverns most recently opened The Gas Lamp café bar in Aberdeen which follows in the footsteps of The Sun gastro bar and restaurant in Cupar, Mammas Italian Kitchen & Bar, also in Cupar and The Flaming Kilt Scottish grill restaurant, cocktail bar and deli on Kirkcaldy’s High Street and Esplanade.

ENDS

For further information please contact Julian Mobbs at Gastro Taverns on tel 07960 412390 and Petra Wetzel on tel 0141 550 0135

Date 22nd July 2008

Honey Amber Rose, Trademarked as the First Beer for Women, Takes an Unprecedented Step.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Press Release) – Jul 21, 2008 – Honey Amber Rose, a craft beer trademarked as THE FIRST BEER FOR WOMEN, is up for sale on August 15th via eBay. Despite success in the Florida beer market, Beautiful Brews Inc. co-creators Abby Waters and Kent Chamberlain have decided to auction off their self proclaimed baby, “Honey” in order to ensure its future. The company will be auctioning off the Honey Amber Rose brand including: the 200-year-old-secret recipe, trademarks, portfolio of existing accounts, access to hundreds of approved accounts, flash website: http://honeyamberose.com, full package design, introduction to suppliers and training by key executives in the company.

Honey Amber Rose, has won critical acclaim for both its recipe and its approach on the beer market. It has a feminine flair, but the beer was tauted by Palm Beach Post's Beer Guy, Dan Oliver as “Strong Enough for a Man but Made for a Woman”. The company reports 50% of sales are to men, mainly beer aficionados. Honey Amber Rose has been covered by media across the state of Florida, as well as over seas, by such media outlets as: Tampa Tribune, Sun Sentinel, UK Guardian, Saveur Magazine, Vive Magazine and Palm Beach Post.

The recipe, dating from the 1800s, has been formulated using a special process so that it only contains 108 calories, under 7 grams of carbohydrates, and 4% alcohol. With no preservatives, Honey Amber Rose is brewed from the fruit of the rose, Rose Hip Shells, which contain antioxidants and 20 times the Vitamin C than regular fruits. This is not a sweet beer though, despite the touch of Clover Honey, and leans toward the European style of a mild amber ale. Award winning, Honey Amber Rose has won back to back silver medals in the professional experimental category in the Florida Beer Championships . The brand is available in every major market in Florida and has approval to sell in most big chain stores. Customer lists and store approvals, as well as the six distributors in Florida, will be provided privately to interested parties.

But why sell? Beautiful Brews to date has not been able to raise enough capital to take the Honey Amber Rose to the next level, however the brand is currently in an excellent position for growth. They have attempted to gain funds but the amount of money needed to propel an in demand brand has fallen short. With six local distributors anxiously waiting to bring Honey Amber Rose on board, after distributor Southern Wine and Spirits sold its entire beer portfolio, co-creators Abby Waters and Kent Chamberlain decided to give up their brain child in order to ensure its future. Waters states “I believe with all my heart, the brand deserves to continue to flourish and all the ground work has been done. This is an opportunity for established brewers to add to their portfolio or a novice to pursue a dream.”

On August 15th, an eBay auction will be launched selling the Honey Amber Rose brand, including its recipe, trademarks, portfolio of existing accounts, access to hundreds of approved accounts, flash website, full package design, introduction to suppliers and training by key executives in the company. Interested buyers are welcome to contact Beautiful Brews at 561-632-9876 or info@honeyamberose.com. Further details about the auction and complete brand information is available at http://honeyamberose.com.

The Abbey Inn, at Newlay, is hosting a Yorkshire Day beer festival between 1 and 3 August.

The event will be a celebration of Yorkshire beers with around 30 different ones from across the whole of the county, with a special treat for fans of Tetley’s.

Landlord Martin Locket is hoping to get a special bar from Tetley’s to offer all four of its hand pulled beers; Dark Mild, Light Mild, Bitter and Imperial.

With the pub being next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Martin was hoping to bring the beers in by a barge as a way of reducing the carbon footprint, but the high cost of insurance has seen it put on hold until, hopefully, until next year.

The pub is said to be one of the most haunted in Britain, and is due to appear on Sky TV on 7 August as part of a series called Wines and Spirits, hosted by Derek Ancora and Yvette Fielding.

-ENDS-

Brewery expands with social enterprise bottling plant

Keighley’s Old Bear Brewery has bought the social enterprise bottling company Re-Cap for an undisclosed sum as part of its expansion plans.

Re-Cap, which exclusively uses recycled bottles, was based in Calderdale Business Park, Halifax, but has now moved lock, stock and barrel to the brewery.

The move sees Re-Cap’s operations supervisor Nick Howard joining the brewery to overseeing the bottling operation.

Ian Cowling, Old Bear’s owner and head brewer, said: “Over the past year we have expanded our range of bottles to cover all our seven cask beers, plus our monthly specials, and this has been helped in a big way logistically by Re-Cap only being about 10 miles away.

“When the opportunity came up to bring it in-house it was too good to a chance to miss and it’s already hard at work with our Yorkshire Day Ale, which is the official beer of Yorkshire Day, on 1 August.

“Re-Cap collects empty bottles from numerous pubs and clubs around West Yorkshire, where they are then washed and sterilised before being refilled.

He added: “With Yorkshire Day Ale being a flagship beer we are using bottles with flip tops, similar to Grolsch, and each mayor and mayoresses from the whole of Yorkshire will receive a bottle at the Yorkshire Day luncheon, which is being held in Guisborough.”

Old Bear’s bottled beers now also come in pint measures as opposed to the metric 500ml. Ian said: “We still serve pint measures in pubs, so we think that it’s appropriate that you should still be able to get an imperial pint bottle of beer.”

–ENDS–

Ravinder & Manjit Minhas, the youngest Brewery owners in the world, are pleased to announce the start of the sale of their "Damn Good Beers" in the province of Saskatchewan. Minhas Creek Classic Lager, Classic Pilsner as well as Corsairs Mojito, Canada's First "Ready To Drink" Mojito, are being offered for sale in all 89 SLGA (Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Authority) Liquor Stores and 1700 Franchisee and Off Sale Stores.

Minhas Creek Craft Brewing Co. has their own warehouse and delivery trucks based in Regina, SK from where the beers and other products will be distributed. The products will be aggressively marketed with television ads, print ads and billboard campaigns. As the brother-sister duos have done it in Manitoba and Alberta, they expect to bring superior quality yet fair priced beers to Saskatchewan, which they feel is long overdue. This will also offer more competition to the multi-national foreign-owned mega-breweries that have had the market to themselves for a very long time.

For further information: For interviews, photographs and further
information please contact Ravinder or Manjit Minhas at (403) 875-3535 or
e-mail at Ravinder.Minhas@shaw.ca

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has combined its extensive knowledge of good pubs with the latest innovations in satellite navigation to produce a unique and exclusive Good Beer Guide 2008 Points of Interest (POI) file for TomTom users.

Catering for techies and pub-goers alike, the file will allow users to pinpoint and explore over 4,500 pubs listed in the current edition of the Good Beer Guide. Simple to install and use, CAMRA hopes the file will encourage users to get out exploring and uncover some of Britain's best real-ale pubs.

Simon Hall, CAMRA Managing Editor, said: “For anyone tired of getting lost down country lanes, map in hand, while trying to find a pub for Sunday lunch, this is the perfect, stress-free solution.”

Hall continues: “Recent research has shown that many people prefer to spend their evenings and weekends indoors, with modern technology allowing them to shop and socialise online. However, this latest application for a successful piece of navigational technology will encourage users to leave the confines of their living room and enjoy and support great community pubs!”

Priced at just five pounds, the file contains up-to-date information from the Good Beer Guide 2008, including pub names, addresses, phone numbers and locations. Although the file is only compatible with TomTom hardware at present, there are plans to create POI files for other systems in the future.

The CAMRA Good Beer Guide TomTom POI file is out now, and is available for immediate download from the CAMRA website at: http://www.camra.org.uk/GBGPOI.

ENDS

Brewer’s unique Yorkshire Day Ale to be official beer

Old Bear Brewery is to be the official beer supplier to this year’s Yorkshire Day celebrations which takes place in Guisborough, on 1 August.

The Keighley brewer will be giving a bottle of its Yorkshire Day Ale to each guest – 250 in total – at a special luncheon being held for all the mayors and mayoresses from across Yorkshire.

This year’s celebrations have been organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and the luncheon comes after a procession along Guisborough’s main street and a service in the town’s St Nicholas Church.

Redcar and Cleveland wanted to use the celebrations as a showcase for Yorkshire food and drink, so had no hesitation in choosing Old Bear which is the only brewery to produce a Yorkshire Day Ale.

Ian Cowling, Old Bear’s owner and head brewer, said: “The mayoral gathering is thought to be the largest of its kind in Europe, so what better excuse than to showcase all things good about Yorkshire?

“Being proud Yorkshiremen we have wanted to get involved in the celebrations for some time, so to be asked to come on board is really thrilling.

“This is the first year we have bottled this particular beer so we’ve done a special label to include not only our logo and the white rose of Yorkshire, but that of the local authority and the mayor’s office.”

Yorkshire Day Ale is only available during August and is a 4.2% ABV traditional style copper coloured bitter. It contains two different types of hops; saaz and fuggles plus crystal malt to help give a malty taste with nutty overtones and a bitter finish.

Ian added: “Demand for our Yorkshire Day Ale increases every year, so much so that we have upped our production this time around and are also producing a limited amount in bottles.

“All our bottling is done in-house using recycled bottles, and unlike most other breweries we use pint bottles, as opposed to the metric 500ml ones which we have now ousted from the brewery. We brew traditional ales so we may as well supply then in the time-honoured measures.”

Following the mayoral luncheon, which is being held in Guisborough’s Laurence Jackson School, and evening reception is to be held there for the general public with former Test cricket umpire Dickie Bird as the after-dinner speaker. Tickets for the evening event are available on 01287 633801.

Old Bear Brewery is a member of the Society of Independent Brewers and Camra’s “Real Ale in a Bottle Scheme”.

–ENDS–

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today sent an open invitation to Britain's pub designers, architects, and owners in a bid to reward the high standards and hard work undergone during 2007. In association with English Heritage and The Victorian Society, The Pub Design Award has become a highly sought-after accolade, with past winners enjoying an increased profile with the media and consumers as a result.

Since its inception in 1982, the Awards have encouraged publicans to consider aspects of conservation and maintenance, whilst also awarding those who modernise certain features of their public house without affecting the heritage of the building.

The Awards will be judged by CAMRA's Pubs Group, individuals unequalled in the field of pub preservation and architecture. The Awards will be split into the following four categories:

1) New Build Pub
This category is for entirely new built pubs. The judges look for a number of details when judging the worth of any new establishment. The pub might reflect pubs of the past but without becoming a mere pastiche of Edwardian, Victorian or even Georgian artefacts. Or it could be completely modern, using materials of the 20th or 21st century.

2) Conversion to Pub Use
This is where an existing building is converted to pub use. Pubs are judged on the taste and restraint used on both the outside and inside of the pub.

3) Refurbished pub
Refurbishment can range from a complete gutting to replace what was crass and in bad taste with something far better to an enhancement of what was originally there. Refurbishment should suit the individual pub and not be an excuse to use uniform furnishings to brand the pub with brewery or pub company's image.

4) CAMRA / English Heritage Conservation award
This award, sponsored by English Heritage, is usually given for work on a pub which conserves what is good in the pub, makes good some of the crass refurbishment efforts of the past and ensures that the fabric of the place will survive for further generations of pub goers and drinkers to enjoy.

Tony Jerome, CAMRA's Press Manager, said -

“In an age where new quickly replaces the old, it is great to reward those that consider Britain's heritage and architecture when it comes to pub design. CAMRA's Pub Design Awards will go to those that have shown innovation and good taste without having to rip out a pub interior and create something completely new.”

“In the past a number of pubcos have insisted on creating a theme that makes their pubs look exactly the same where ever they are located in Britain. This may give them a brand identity but experience shows that themes soon become out of fashion and this leads to companies throwing more money at creating another theme! What is the matter with investing in traditional, quality pub design that has worked for many pubs over the years? It is the difference in the look and feel of Britain's pubs that creates such an interest and makes our pubs industry unique.”

If you own, design, work, live, or merely like the look of your local, please do not hesitate to offer recommendations for the Awards. Application forms can be downloaded from the CAMRA website at www.camra.org.uk/pdaawards2008, and entries can be submitted by post to:

Jon Howard
CAMRA Pub Design Awards
Campaign for Real Ale Ltd
230 Hatfield Road
St Albans
Herts
AL1 4LW

The closing date for all entries will be Tuesday 30th September 2008, with presentation ceremonies for all award winners to be confirmed at a later date.

ENDS

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT RESULTS

Following our 200th year it is disappointing to have to report amid a difficult trading environment that our operating profit has fallen by GBP3.1M (16.5%) against last year to GBP15.6M.

At the Brewery, conditions were very difficult, largely due to the cumulative effect of a number of adverse factors. Beer volumes fell, much of which was from the imposed smoking ban, which followed on from very poor summer weather. Our own public houses were down 9% on last year and we anticipate that this will continue in the coming year. Free Trade performed well, to be ahead by 6%. These trading results compare against a market fall in on-sales of beer in the North West of 7% and 8% nationally. We also suffered from depressed consumer confidence with concerns over the housing market, instability in financial markets and an uncertain economy causing consumers to hold back on spending. In addition we have seen record increases in costs, especially raw materials, where malt and hop prices have nearly doubled in the last year. Brewery turnover is only 2.1% behind last year but profit at GBP8.3M is down GBP3.6M (30%).

On a happier note Shire Hotels produced a profit of GBP8.5M, GBP0.7M more than in 2007. At The Stafford we opened the new Mews rooms and the enlarged American Bar, which have contributed to a healthy increase in sales. Our regional hotels produced similar results to last year despite weakness in the weekend leisure market reflecting pressures on consumer spending. For the first time Shire Hotels has contributed more to Group profits than Brewery operations, and this confirms the decision 27 years ago to diversify and to develop a second income stream for the Group.

Net profit before tax fell by 22% to GBP9.9M. The overall result after tax is GBP14.9M (2007 GBP9.1M) but this is after an exceptional deferred tax credit of GBP7.2M. Excluding this, net profits are GBP1.4M behind last year at GBP7.7M. Earnings per share before the exceptional tax credit fell to 12.3p from 14.5p.

Your Board recommends maintaining the final dividend of 3.36p per share to make a total of 4.46p for 2008 (2007 4.46p).

REVALUATION

Our rolling five year property revaluation has resulted in a surplus of GBP7.4M which endorses our policy of investing in quality properties and continuously improving our estate. Profits on disposals in the year were GBP0.8M, which provides comfort over the carrying value of the freehold estate.

CASH FLOW AND FINANCE

Investment in the Group continued and capital expenditure this year was GBP30.6M. This included GBP4.2M on buying five pubs and GBP3.3M on new brewery plant. GBP18.3M was spent on extending and improving our existing properties including GBP2.9M on smoking related issues and GBP2.8M on the conversion of our Black Sheep public house at The Aztec, Bristol into the new `Lodge on the Park' with 36 bedrooms. GBP2.1M was also spent on completing The Stafford Mews development.

Cash flow generated from operations decreased by GBP6.9M to GBP22.6M as a result of reduced profits, additional payments into the pension scheme and an increase in working capital.

Year end capital employed is GBP410M of which net borrowings comprise GBP142M and shareholders' funds are GBP268M. Our gearing is 53.2%, a 2.9% increase over last year.

PERSONNEL

I am delighted to welcome Peter Morris as Daniel Thwaites' new Managing Director. He continues a highly successful career in the British brewing industry where he has worked, most recently, as Operations Director at Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises, managing 900 pubs. I believe his experience and reputation within the industry will help us significantly as we look to the future and confront a challenging marketplace.

With the departure of Brian Hickman in October I was pleased that Paul Baker, our former managing director, accepted our invitation to return as caretaker until a replacement was found. Paul now reverts to a non-executive role with our grateful thanks.

Peter Boddy joined the Group Board in October as a non-executive director. He brings extensive experience and success in health and fitness, leisure retail operations, pub leasing and management skills.

In June we held a magnificent party at Ewood Park celebrating our 200 years. It is sad however that we have had such a tough year despite the great efforts and support of all the workforce for which I do thank you all so very much.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

This next year will be difficult to predict with an increasingly challenging economic climate, soaring energy prices, which will affect us from the autumn, and more cautious personal spending, we must be prepared to work ever harder whilst managing the business even more tightly.

The Company is ready to take advantage of any changes in market conditions and I firmly believe that there will be opportunities for us.

MRS ANN YERBURGH

CHAIRMAN

EXTRACT FROM AUDITED FULL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2008 GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT 2008 2007 GBP'm GBP'm _ _ Turnover - Continuing operations 161.4 162.7 Cost of sales (123.7) (123.0) _ _ Gross profit 37.7 39.7 Distribution costs (13.1) (12.4) Administrative expenses (9.0) (8.6) _ _ Operating profit 15.6 18.7 Property disposals 0.8 0.8 _ _ Profit before interest 16.4 19.5 Interest payable (7.2) (7.4) Net interest on pension liability 0.7 0.6 _ _

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 9.9 12.7

Taxation (2.2) (3.6) Release of deferred taxation 7.2 - _ _ Profit for the financial year - attributable to shareholders 14.9 9.1 _ _ Dividends: Ordinary paid per 25p share 1.10p 0.7 0.7

(2007 - 1.10p)

Ordinary proposed per 25p share 3.36p 2.1 2.1

(2007 - 3.36p)

Earnings per ordinary share 23.7p 14.5p *Adjusted earnings per ordinary share 12.3p 14.5p

The final dividend of 3.36p per ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31st March 2008 will be paid on 1st August 2008 to shareholders on the register at 11th July 2008.

*Excludes the impact of changes to tax rates and capital allowances introduced by the Finance Act 2007. GROUP BALANCE SHEET At 31st March 2008 2008 2007 GBP'm GBP'm _ _ Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 402.4 379.6 Investments 16.2 16.6 _ _ 418.6 396.2 Current Assets Stocks 5.7 4.5 Debtors 21.0 15.5 Cash and bank balances 2.1 5.4 _ _ 28.8 25.4 _ _ Creditors due within one year Short term borrowings (19.4) (5.1) Trade and other creditors (24.3) (22.0) _ _ (43.7) (27.1) _ _ Net current liabilities (14.9) (1.7) _ _ Total assets less current liabilities 403.7 394.5

Creditors due after one year

Loan capital (125.0) (126.5)

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Deferred taxation (6.9) (13.6) _ _ Net assets excluding pension liability 271.8 254.4 _ _ Net pension liability (4.1) (10.3) _ _ Net assets including pension liability 267.7 244.1 ======= ======= Capital and reserves Called up share capital 15.8 15.8 Revaluation reserve 136.8 130.8 Profit and loss account 115.4 97.8 Own shares (0.3) (0.3) _ _ Equity shareholder's funds 267.7 244.1 ======= ======= GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31st March 2008 2008 2007 GBP'm GBP'm _ _ Cash flow from operating activities 22.6 29.5

Returns on investments and servicing of finance (7.1) (6.8)

Tax paid (1.7) (1.6)

Capital expenditure and financial investment (27.1) (22.9)

Equity dividends paid (2.8) (2.7) _ _

Cash outflow before use of liquid resources

and financing (16.1) (4.5) Management of liquid resources - 6.0 Financing - increase (decrease) in debt 12.5 (3.8) _ _ Decrease in cash (3.6) (2.3) _ _ Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Decrease in cash (3.6) (2.3)

Cash (inflow) outflow from increase

(decrease) in debt (12.5) 3.8 Cash inflow from liquid resources - (6.0) _ _ Movement in net debt in the year (16.1) (4.5) Net debt at beginning of year (126.2) (121.7) _ _ Net debt at end of year (142.3) (126.2) _ _ Analysis of changes in net debt: At 31st At 31st March Other Cash March 2008 changes flows 2007 GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm Cash at bank and in hand 2.1 - (3.3) 5.4 Bank overdrafts (2.9) - (0.3) (2.6) _ __ __ _ (0.8) - (3.6) 2.8 Debt due within one year (16.5) (16.5) 2.5 (2.5) Debt due after one year (125.0) 16.5 (15.0) (126.5) _ __ __ _ (142.3) - (16.1) (126.2) _ __ __ _ OPERATING REVIEW BREWERY OPERATIONS

Daniel Thwaites operates a tied estate trading primarily in the North of England and continues to brew it's own ales and lagers as well as supplying a varied range of leading brand lagers, wines, spirits and soft drinks to free trade and our own outlets.

The brewery's contract brewing, canning and bottling activities together with take home and national sales also contribute to operating profit. Our brewery is well placed to take advantage of opportunities as they arise in a beer market going through unprecedented change.

Results

With a significant downturn in volumes of brewed and processed beers this has been a particularly difficult year with increased costs adding to our problems. Tied trade bore the brunt of the short fall in profits and contract brewing came under pressure as nationwide volume reductions affected all our customers. Operating profit was GBP8.3M, 30% down on last year.

Sales & Marketing

Beer brands saw growth in our Cask Ales of 11% and Premium Bottled Ales of 43%, whilst our remaining portfolio saw declines in line with a depressed market.

Free Trade continues to grow market share with volume growth of 6% year on year, though margins remain under pressure, profits were in line with last year.

Our Take Home branded business showed growth in both bottles and cans. Everyday low pricing by brand leaders in the market place confirms our decision to concentrate on our own brands.

Tied Estate

This has been an extremely challenging year for the pub market and this has affected our pub estate, with year on year declines in volume of 9% and profits of 11.5%.

Our tenants have faced significant increased costs on the back of a wet summer, smoking ban and weaker consumer spending.

The recruitment and retention of high quality tenants remain at the core of the success of our non-managed pubs. The market remains very competitive for quality people.

Profit conversion in our managed houses was more challenging with wet and machine incomes coming under pressure. Food showed a like for like increase of 4% and accommodation has shown steady growth.

Property

We invested in five new pubs.

Managed:

Lister Arms, Malham

Shoal Hill Tavern, Cannock Chase

Tenancy:

Bridge Inn, Dalton in Furness

Stone Jug, Stalybridge, Gtr Manchester

Miners Arms, Swarthmoor, Cumbria

We provided over 300 tenanted and 43 managed houses with external drinking and smoking areas of a very high quality at a cost of GBP2.9M.

Nine managed developments were undertaken including a major redevelopment of the Farmers Arms in Lancaster providing 28 bedrooms and a fully refurbished pub that now trades as the Penny Street Bridge with initial trading levels encouraging. Refurbishments were carried out at the Sundial at Bury and The Dibbinsdale, Bromborough and six new bedrooms were added to the Boatyard at Hoghton.

In the tenanted estate, over 185 individual projects were carried out, of which the most significant were the refurbishments at the George at Darwen, the Craven Heifer at Ingleton, the Boot and Shoe at Elswick, the Roebuck at Cannock and Ye Olde Scotch Arms at Brampton.

We continue to improve the quality of our estate through tactical disposals. Fifteen pubs were sold and another eight are currently under offer with further disposals anticipated this year.

Production & Distribution

Contract packaging volumes increased by 23% whilst contract brewing volumes reduced by 24%.

Contract canning was very busy with investments made to improve product quality. The first four fully automated replacement bright beer tanks were commissioned as was a second blender system.

All draymen have undergone an assessment to verify standards on safety, fuel efficiency and courtesy to other road users.

Personnel

We have continued to focus training activities on health and safety providing specialist training on manual handling and fire risk assessments.

Once again it is pleasing to see so many names included in the list of long serving employees in this report.

In our two hundredth anniversary year our staff took part in many fund raising activities for our corporate charity, the British Heart Foundation. In addition, we have continued to actively support local charities through our Charitable Trust.

HOTEL OPERATIONS

Shire Hotels own and operate eight hotels. These include the world renowned Stafford Hotel in Central London, six full service quality four star regional properties and the smaller, highly rated Millstone Hotel at Mellor. Each of the larger regional hotels operates a spa facility with a total membership now of over 6,000. Our strategy is founded on differentiation by using added value products and services to create a niche in the marketplace.

The core businesses are accommodation which accounts for just under half and food and drink representing just over a third of all sales. Other sales comprise spa, including health and beauty treatments, and meeting room hire.

Results

Total sales were 5.4% ahead of last year on a like for like basis and include a good contribution from the Stafford Mews that opened in June 2007.

In the regional estate like for like sales were slightly ahead of last year and rooms yield increased by 1.4%. Sales of food and drink were similar to previous year with activities being undertaken to counter the downturn in consumer spending, which particularly affects liquor spend.

Meeting room hire saw good growth of 5.6% which reflects the continued success of Conference Café now operating at five of the larger hotels and our investment over the last few years in new meeting rooms at Bristol and Leeds.

Spa sales increased by almost 6% representing strong growth in what is a particularly competitive sector and it was good to see the new facilities at the Solent Hotel giving an excellent return following the investment there in 2006. Spa facilities are also important in driving bedroom sales in the leisure markets.

Overall net profit contribution of GBP8.5M is 9.0% ahead of last year and includes the benefit of both the Stafford Mews and cost reductions arising from a re-organisation of some head office departments.

Marketing

During the year, a number of new initiatives were undertaken in line with our strategy `Building on the Experience'. These include an updated logo, a refreshed brand image which was most recently included in the latest short break brochure and also the launch of `Affinity' our updated guest loyalty programme.

Continued high levels of guest satisfaction support the aim of building business from recommendation and referral for new customers and repeat business from existing users. The target is to increase the number of unique and repeat guest visits over the next four years.

We shall continue to pursue a strategy of differentiation and build on the reputation for quality and service that has proved so successful to date. Our hotels continue to be recognised for quality, notably:

The Aztec Hotel & Spa - South West Business Tourism Hotel of the Year 2007/08

Kettering Park Hotel& Spa - East Midlands Tourism Large Hotel of the Year 2007/08

The Millstone at Mellor - Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board Small Hotel of the Year 2007/08

Electronic distribution is very important with increased numbers of rooms revenue now booked in this way. It is anticipated that this trend will continue over the next four years and following successful enhancements to the website, which were completed earlier in the year, further work will take place to support the revised brand image.

People

Internal development and succession planning have been a key part of our success over many years. Once again, we were able to present 49 people with long service awards covering 5 to 30 years service.

To support the development of food and drink service and the need for skilled and professional personnel in this area, we have launched `The Academy of Food & Drink'. This initiative, developed in conjunction with Kendal College, a renowned centre of excellence for catering and hospitality in the North West, will result in the award of NVQ level 3 in hospitality to successful graduates.

Development

The opening of The Stafford Mews provided an additional 26 luxury suites together with the opening of the new, larger American Bar. This major development has been well received and the initial months of trading are in line with expectations.

In the provinces the most significant project has been the redevelopment of The Black Sheep, our public house located on the Aztec West business park at Bristol. The project included the opening of a 36 bedroom lodge (www.lodgeonthepark.com) together with the first Starbucks coffee store, operated under licence, located in a pub. Early sales indications are most encouraging.

FINANCIAL REVIEW Results

Operating profit at GBP15.6M is GBP3.1M behind last year and includes one off costs of GBP0.6M primarily relating to restructuring. Brewery operations were GBP3.6M less than last year whilst hotel operations were GBP0.7M ahead.

Interest payable has reduced by GBP0.2M even though average borrowings have increased year on year. Interest rate swaps have had a positive effect on floating rated borrowings.

Profit on disposal of properties was similar to last year at GBP0.8M: net profit before tax decreased by GBP2.8M. Taxation charge on the profit for the year was reduced by GBP1.4M with an exceptional release from deferred taxation of GBP7.2M, following the Government's changes to tax rates and capital allowances, profits after tax increased by GBP5.8M to GBP14.9M. Excluding the exceptional tax credit, profits after taxation are behind last year by GBP1.4M at GBP7.7M. Basic earnings per share improve by 63.4% to 23.7p but, excluding the deferred tax credit, adjusted earnings per share are reduced by 15.2% to 12.3p.

Taxation

GBP0.7M was provided for current corporation tax representing a rate of 7.7% (2007 17.6%) on Group profit before taxation and property disposals. Additional pension payments, which are allowed for tax purposes, and increased capital allowances are the main reasons for the reduced current tax provision. Deferred tax of GBP6.7M provided on the potential claw back of Industrial Buildings Allowances (IBAs) was released following the changes to capital allowances. The new rules will reduce our claims for capital allowances and therefore future tax payable by the Group is expected to increase substantially over the next three years.

Cash Flow and Financing

Cash flow from operations reduced by GBP6.9M to GBP22.6M. This was due mainly to a decrease in operating profits together with additional monies being paid into our pension schemes. Working capital also increased as a result of GBP2.3M proceeds due at the year end from the sale of properties completed in March.

The Group's net borrowings were GBP142.3M against GBP126.2M last year. Gearing moves up slightly to 53.2% from 51.7%. Shareholders' funds improved to GBP267.7M as a result of retained profits of GBP12.1M, property revaluation of GBP7.4M and a GBP4.0M actuarial gain on the pension schemes. It is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in arranging finance to meet the future needs of the business. Interest cover (operating profit divided by interest payable) fell to 2.2 times (2007 2.5 times).

The defined benefit pension schemes continue to be funded by the Group and a further payment of GBP2.9M (2007 GBP1.4M) was made towards eliminating the actuarial deficit.

Return to Shareholders

The Board has recommended a final dividend of 3.36p which together with the interim dividend of 1.10p makes a total of 4.46p for 2008. This dividend is covered 5.3 times by profit after tax including the exceptional deferred tax credit and 2.7 times excluding this figure. Last years cover was 3.3 times.

Treasury Policy and Financial Risk Management

Treasury policies are subject to Board approval and are implemented on a day to day basis by the Group Treasurer.

All borrowings are in pounds sterling and comprise a mixture of fixed interest loans and facilities carrying LIBOR related floating rates. The Group enters into bank interest rate swap arrangements with the aim of protecting itself from upward movements in interest rates. Currently GBP75M of floating rate debt has been hedged for periods between two and four years.

A 1% increase in floating rates now has a pre-tax profit effect of 2.2% compared to 0.7% last year.

NOTICE OF MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at Daniels, Penny Street, Blackburn, BB1 6HL on Thursday 31st July 2008 at 4.00 p.m. for the transaction of the following business:

Ordinary Business:

1. To receive and adopt the accounts for the year ended 31st March

2008 and the reports of the directors and the auditor, and to

declare a final dividend.

2. To re-elect Mr D. Lowe as a director.

3. To re-elect Mr D. A. Robson as a director.

4. To re-elect Mr J. M. A. Yerburgh as a director.

5. To re-elect Mr P. A. Boddy as a director.

6. To re-elect Mr P. Morris as a director.

7. To confirm the remuneration of the directors.

8. To re-appoint KPMG Audit Plc as auditor and authorise the

directors to determine their remuneration.

Special Business:

The following resolution will be proposed as a special resolution:

9. That the Articles of Association produced to the meeting and

signed by the Chairman for the purpose of identification be approved and adopted as the new Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the existing Articles of Association.

Any member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and on a poll to vote in his or her stead; the proxy need not be a member of the Company.

By order of the Board Mrs S. I. Woodward, A.C.I.S. Secretary Star Brewery Blackburn 3rd July 2008

Note: Copies of directors' service contracts will be available for

inspection at the Registered Office of the Company during

normal business hours until 30th July 2008 and from 3.45 p.m.

on 31st July 2008 at Daniels, Penny Street, Blackburn, BB1 6HL

until the conclusion of the meeting.

Tips to help navigate the beer aisle this season including suggested micro, specialty and import beers to pair with the most popular barbecued foods, from Jennifer Faulk, who leads the Glunz Beer Culinary Council for Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., a Lincolnwood, Ill.-based premier beer distributor.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB ) June 23, 2008 -- Summer is synonymous with backyard barbecues, but choosing a beer to serve with your favorite grilled foods can be daunting given the hundreds of micro, specialty and import brands now available. To help navigate the beer aisle this season, Jennifer Faulk, who leads the Glunz Beer Culinary Council - a cadre of local chefs and other beer aficionados - for Lincolnwood, Ill.-based Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., suggests a few best brews for barbecues.

"Beer is the new wine and the huge range of flavors, aromas, and textures makes it a perfect match for nearly any kind of food," explains Faulk. "In general, the lighter the meat being served the lighter the beer style, whereas darker meats stand-up better to a darker, heavier beer style." Before you next fire up the grill, consider these beer and barbecue pairings. The brands listed are available wherever better beers are sold in Chicagoland and prices are suggested retail.

Grilled Chicken/Brats/Hot Dogs

New Holland Full Circle Kolsch - A light-bodied ale with a slight hoppiness and just enough flavor to complement the light flavors of these foods. Six-pack of 12 ounce bottles $8.99.

Stiegl Lemon Radler - A light lager blended with lemon soda, another lighter flavor, to complement the food and quench a big summer thirst. Six-pack of 16.9 ounce bottles $12.99. Single 16.9 ounce bottle $2.49.

Grilled Salmon

Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold Lager - A light lager with less bitterness than a traditional pilsner and a dry finish to cleanse the palate and make the next bite of food as fresh as the first. Six-pack of 12 ounce bottles $8.99.

Pinkus Pilsner - A USDA Certified organic pilsner with a well-balanced clean hop and malt character, also with a dry finish to complement the fish. Single 17 ounce bottle $3.49.

Hamburgers

Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager - Medium-bodied lager with richer malts that enhance the richness of red meat. Six-pack of 12 ounce bottles $9.49.

Capital Brown Ale - Dark, mildly sweet-roasted malts balance the charred meat. Six-pack of 12 ounce bottles $8.99.

BBQ Ribs

Schlenkerla Helles Lager - Lighter-bodied beer with a mild smokiness to balance a sweet or tangy barbecue sauce. Single 16.9 ounce bottle $3.75.

Chimay Red Ale - Abbey Dubbel-style ale with richer malts to complement any barbecued foods, and slightly higher alcohol content and a hint of bitterness to balance the richness of the sauce.. Single 11.2 ounce bottle $4.49.

About Louis Glunz Beer, Inc.
Founded in 1888 by Louis Glunz I in Chicago, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. is among the oldest beer distributors in the United States and the recipient of the 2007 "Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award" from the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Brewers Association for promoting craft beer and making consumer choice a top priority. The 120-year-old company is family-owned and operated by president, Jack Glunz, the grandson of Louis Glunz I, with day-to-day operations led by five of his and his late wife Patricia's seven children as members of the fourth generation. The first member of the fifth generation has also joined the staff, with other members working during school breaks. Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. features an extensive portfolio of 665 micro, specialty and import beers from 67 suppliers representing 152 breweries worldwide, and is the premier distributor to restaurants, bars, liquor and grocery stores in Chicagoland. The company is dedicated to quality service and to educating its customers and the public about beer tastes and trends. For more information, visit www.glunzbeers.com.

Carlos Brito focuses on InBev’s culture, people, wholesaler relationships and commitment to St. Louis

Brussels, 20 June 2008

InBev (Euronext: INB ) CEO Carlos Brito today discussed InBev’s proposal to combine with Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), focusing on InBev’s culture, its people, wholesaler relationships and commitment to St. Louis. The discussion can be viewed on a video posted on www.globalbeerleader.com.

Information for Employees, Wholesalers and Communities is available at http://www.globalbeerleader.com/ or http://www.inbev.com/. Broadcast media will be able to download the interview at http://w3.cantos.com/08/inbev-download-2/

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today announced that Highland Scapa Special has been voted Champion Beer of Scotland at the Scottish Traditional Beer Festival, Edinburgh.

Eight Scottish beers were selected by tasting panels that judge beer quality and taste throughout the year to enter this year's final.

The final results were: 1st
2nd
3rd Highland Scapa Special
Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted
Highland Orkney Best

The winner, Scapa Special, is described in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide as “A good copy of a typical Lancashire bitter, full of bitterness and background hops, leaving your mouth tingling in the lingering aftertaste.”

CAMRA's Scottish Traditional Beer Festival Organiser Ian Brocklebank congratulated the winner saying, “the competition was very close indeed with eight superb Scottish beers in tremendous condition. Scapa Special is a deserving champion and, in winning this competition for two years running, Rob Hill has shown his ability to brew a variety of different beer styles whilst keeping them distinctive and packed full of flavour.”

Rob Hill, owner and head brewer from Highland Brewery said “I'm astounded and delighted! It's superb to get recognition for this inaugural brew and I think it's the brew that people will want and enjoy. Scapa Special is refreshing and well balanced; the malt and hops are not over the top. I'm totally speechless at this success, which is unusual for me!”

Scottish Traditional Beer Festival, Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh Thursday 19 June to Saturday 21 June 2008

Scapa Special will be available throughout the Scottish Traditional Beer Festival. The Festival organisers are expecting up to 8000 visitors over the three-day period.

This year's festival will be serving 120+ Scottish Real Ales, including a range of Shilling Ales, Ciders and Perries. Last year's winner was Highland's Dark Munro.

Opening Times

Thursday 19 June - 4pm to 11pm
Friday 20 June - Noon to 11pm
Saturday 21 June - Noon to 9pm

Admission

CAMRA Members £3
Non-members £4.

ENDS

Tiger Beer – Good as Gold around the World

Clinched Gold Medal and named Overall Winner for its Category at New Zealand International Beer Awards 2008

Testimony to its premium quality and taste, Tiger Beer (Tiger) struck gold when it won the gold medal for the Australasian, Latin American or Tropical-Style Light Lager category at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in May 2008. It continued to hog the limelight when the first-time participant was later named the overall winner for its class – International Golden Lagers.

The evaluation saw Tiger emerge with distinction for its well-balanced taste, flavour, aroma, colour and excellent technical quality.

On Tiger’s latest win, DB Breweries’ Acting GM Marketing Adam Maxwellsaid, “Once again, Tiger has proven itself to be a favourite in the international arena. This award is yet another affirmation of Tiger’s distinctive quality and taste. After all Tiger is brewed using only the finest ingredients and the most stringent quality control management with more than 200 quality checks adhered to during the brewing process of Tiger. We are proud to be behind the brand in New Zealand, offering our consumers here the award-winning Tiger. As we persist with our efforts in delivering the most superior brew, Tiger also promises to keep offering its consumers exciting and unique brand experiences through slick communications as well as engaging and innovative campaigns.”

The New Zealand International Beer Awards is currently the leading international beer award in New Zealand which receives about 150 entries around the world annually. During the judging process, the panel of beer experts from New Zealand and other parts of the world conducted a blind taste test (i.e. the beers were not identified by their brand names) and graded the beers on taste, colour, appearance, aroma, bitterness, alcohol level and flavour.

Over the years, Tiger has received much acclaim from the world's leading newspapers and journals than most other beers. In 1988, the Washington Post, in a blind taste-test involving several hundred brands, unreservedly voted Tiger “positively the best beer in the world”.

Tiger has also accumulated over 40 accolades, awards and distinctions. Some of the more notable awards include a Gold medal at the Brewing Industry International Awards in 1998, the equivalent of “the Oscar Awards for the brewing industry”; and the more recent being a Gold medal in the highly contested European-Style Pilsner category at the World Beer Cup 2004, which has been dubbed “the Olympics of Beer Competitions” by the beer industry

Over in the UK, Tiger was named a Cool Brand Leader from 2004 to 2006. This recognition reaffirmed Tiger's popularity as it was given only to the coolest brands in the UK.

- Ends-

European beer drinkers have reached agreement where national governments have failed. The national beer consumer groups from 13 countries will meet on 24th June to sign the European Beer Consumers Union's (EBCU) first constitution.

The chairs of the current 13 national member organisations will sign the Constitution of EBCU which encapsulates the aims and objectives of the federation which represents over 130,000 beer drinkers across Europe at the Brewers of Europe House, in Brussels.

The European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) will also be celebrating 18 years of existence having been founded in Bruges in 1990.

Whilst consolidation amongst the world's brewers continues, and global beer brands dominate the market; Europe's beer consumers are working hard to ensure that there will still be a wide choice of craft brewed beers available for future generations.

“In a climate where the big brewers continue to get bigger and bigger and lose all contact with their original routes, axing local beer brands and closing breweries it is essential that the beer drinkers of Europe stand up for local quality beer and fight to protect and promote Europe's beer heritage. The latest proposed mega-merger, between InBev and Anheuser-Busch will, if it succeeds, create a brewer with almost 25% share of the world beer market. How many more local beer brands will be lost whilst this new brewing giant concentrates on promoting its global beer brands?” said Terry Lock, chairman of EBCU.

“It is essential that Europe's Beer drinkers come together to fight the threats posed by globalisation in beer market. The member organisations of EBCU have shown that beer drinkers can reach agreement to enable the consumer's voice to be heard more clearly in the corridors of Brussels and Strasbourg. Perhaps a pint or two of quality craft produced beer could aid national governments to come to a similar accord” continued Lock.

Working together the 13 national beer consumer organisations lobby strongly on issues that concern the beer drinker and pub goer.

EBCU's objectives are:

The promotion of Europe's beer culture
The promotion of traditional beer styles
The promotion of diversity and consumer choice
To enhance the image of beer
To represent the interests of consumers

EBCU's priorities are

Competition and Choice in the European Beer Market
Taxation
Empowering the Consumer

In the years since EBCU was founded there has been a renaissance of brewing in many countries of Europe, samples from some of these will be available to toast EBCU's 18th Birthday at the Brewers of Europe House on 24th June.

ENDS

CAMRA call for Scottish beer lovers to show support to the Scottish Brewing Industry at the Scottish Real Ale Festival, Edinburgh

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is offering visitors a “Shilling Experience” next week at the Scottish Real Ale Festival by offering all beer lovers a chance to try beer styles completely unique to Scotland, in conjunction with Belhaven Brewery.

‘Shilling Ales' were named after the amount of excise duty levied on each barrel in the 19th century. The beer's flavour reflect the natural, local ingredients available to Scottish brewers. They tend to be darker, sweeter and less heavily hopped than other British beers. The traditional, classic styles are 60/- (Light), 70/- (Heavy), 80/- (Export) and 90/- (Strong Wee Heavy).

The Scottish Real Ale Festival will feature a range of traditional Shilling Ales including Belhaven 60/-, 70/-, 80/- & 90/- and Caledonian 80/-, plus a selection of newer interpretations from the smaller new breweries including Exciseman's 80/- from Broughton, Stewarts 80/- and Traditional Scottish Ales City of Stirling 80 /-.

Ian Brocklebank, Chair of the CAMRA Light and Dark Supporters Group, said, “The Shilling Experience is a fantastic showcase for Real Ale from small and regional producers, which reflect the best of natural ingredients and the demands of local drinkers. Anyone who hasn't tried these excellent ales before should grab the chance.”

Mr Brocklebank continued, “It is very topical that these beers are named after shillings as this relates to the amount of excise duty levied on each barrel of beer back in the 19th century. Alastair Darling has recently increased excise duty on beer by 4p a pint and we now pay the highest beer duty in Europe - 34p a pint on average strength beers and 42.5p on beers that are 5% abv. On top of this, the government takes in excess of 40p for each pint sold in a pub through VAT!”

“This hike has put many pressures on the real ale industry in Scotland and we hope Scottish consumers will show their support for our fantastic brewers by visiting the Scottish Real Ale Festival and sampling some of the wonderful beers on show.”

CAMRA is campaigning to persuade the Chancellor to reverse this beer tax hike and to freeze beer duty in future years.

Mr Brocklebank concluded, “If Mr Darling is near Edinburgh at the end of this week then we would encourage him to visit the festival and come and speak to the Scottish brewers and pub-goers. These people will tell him how these tax increases on beer are tearing the pub and brewing trade apart.”

The Scottish Real Ale Festival takes place in Edinburgh at the Assembly Rooms, George Street from Thursday June 19th to Saturday June 21st. Admission is £4. Opening times are Thursday 4pm-11pm, Friday Noon-11pm and Saturday Noon - 9 pm.

As well as around 120 beers exclusively from Scotland, there will also be Real Cider and Perry.

If any journalists are interested in attending the festival then please phone Ian Brocklebank on 07913 264605.

ENDS