What we do

CAMRA is an independent, voluntary, consumer organisation. Membership is open to all individuals, but corporate entities such as breweries and pubs are not members.
CAMRA is governed by a voluntary unpaid national executive, elected by the membership. There are a dozen or so employed staff responsible for central campaigning, research, administration of membership, sales and so forth.

It is no exaggeration to say that CAMRA saved real ale in the UK and as a result saved many independent breweries. No new real ale breweries were set up in the UK for the fifty years before we were founded in 1973 since this date almost 2000 have come into existence, although not all are still producing in 2014 there are over a 1000 breweries currently producing real ale, part of a massive real ale revival which shows no sign of stopping.

When we speak of Real Ale we also mean real Cider and Perry. APPLE was formed by CAMRA in 1988 and its aim is to campaign for Real Cider and Perry as part of the CAMRA organisation.

Nationally our membership increases year on year with over 150,000 members reached .Locally the membership of the Somerset branch is currently over 400.

Benefits of CAMRA Membership

Benefits of being a member of CAMRA include receiving the monthly What's Brewing ? newspaper and quarterly magazine "Beer" both always full of interesting articles on the beer and pub scene both current and in the past. Other benefits include reduced admission to most CAMRA beer festivals, reduced prices on many books and guides produced annually. Currently 2014 members also receive a number of vouchers for a 50pence discount at most Wetherspoons pubs. Also dont forget membership entitles you to take part in the many local branch activities see the website for full details.

Campaigns

There are national and local campaigns as CAMRA maintains its efforts to ensure availability of traditional real ales. It is campaigning to ensure that every pint of beer bought actually contains a full pint: far too many do not!. CAMRA campaigns for reduced tax on beer and assistance for small brewers.

Branches, like Somerset, get involved in campaigning locally to keep breweries and pubs open and to protect the heritage of Real Heritage Pubs, see Latest Pub News for details of current local pub issues. You can also contact your MP about many issues and if you want to know who they are and contact them you can FIND YOUR MP. You never know your MP may be a member of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.

CAMRA Revitalisation Project

CAMRA ‘widens scope’ to cover all beers and outlets (22-Jan-2018 By Nicholas Robinson). Beer and cider campaign group the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) will aim to broaden its reach to cover all “quality” beer and cider types, and will move its focus from traditional pubs to more on-trade outlets. For more details see: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2018/01/22/CAMRA-Revitalisation-Project-results-to-widen-scope.

Contacts and Joining

You can use either the addresses below, attend one of our branch/social meetings where you will be most welcome, or contact Stephen Walker the Branch Membership Secretary ku.oc.sdrofhsa@reklaw.s 01823 413988

CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale
230 Hatfield Road
St. Albans
Herts, AL1 4LW

tel +44 (0) 1727 867201
fax +44 (0) 1727 86767
E-mail HQ: ku.gro.armac@armac

Neighbouring CAMRA Branches

		Bristol & District
North Devon	Somerset	Bath & Borders
Exeter & East Devon	West Dorset*	Heart of Wessex*

* in Wessex Region, but it has now amalgamated with Bath & Borders Branch CAMRA.