2009

SIBA is to hold its 2009 conference — the biggest annual event of its kind in the country — in Stratford-upon-Avon next March.

The theme of the two-day conference, which will begin with the society’s annual general meeting, will be “Let’s Work Together” and will feature speakers with a diverse range of interests in the brewing industry.

The Holiday Inn, by the side of the River Avon and a short walk from Stratford’s historic town centre, will host the event on Thursday and Friday 5 and 6 March.

SIBA chief executive Julian Grocock said: “We want to work together with all sectors of the industry in the light of the many pressures on brewing and pubs in these difficult times.

“The conference will be addressing issues such as the Government’s attitude to beer and brewing, the structure of the licensed trade, the upsurge of localism in food and drink, the alcohol lobby, raw materials and brewing technology.”

The winners of SIBA’s national brewing competition, contested by breweries throughout the British Isles, will be announced during the conference and the winning beers will be served at the society’s annual dinner on the Friday evening.