Seek out a mild this Saturday

May 2, 2006: CAMRA is urging pubgoers to seek out an endangered beer style as it marks Mild Day on Saturday (May 6).

Mild is one of the most traditional beer styles, and is enjoying a revival, but needs a helping hand to find its way on to more bars.

Usually dark brown in colour, due to the use of well-roasted malts or barley, it is less hopped than bitters and often has a chocolatey character with nutty flavours. There are, however, examples of light-coloured milds, such as Timothy Taylor's Golden Best.

CAMRA has designated May as Mild Month and Saturday is the day when the organisation's branches across the country will be hosting events to promote this distinct and tasty beer.

Tracy Saunders, chair of CAMRA's Light and Dark Supporters Group, which campaigns specifically for Britain's endangered beer styles, said: “Mild is a superb light and refreshing real ale alternative to lager, and many varieties are available in May."

Breweries are getting in on the act too. For example, Tynemill, in Nottingham, has pledged to try to make sure all of its 20 pubs sell at least one mild all the time throughout May. Tynemill expects to sell in the region of 80 different milds throughout May and roughly 40 different ones across its estate this Saturday.

Highgate Brewery will be distributing more than 100 licensee packs provided by CAMRA to pubs selling their mild, and Wolverhampton and Dudley - brewers of Hanson's, Jenning's, Bank's and Marstons beers - have adapted CAMRA's Wild about Mild leaflet to feature their mild brands. The leaflets will be distributed to more than 200 pubs selling their beers during May.

Milds to try this May

As recommended by CAMRA's Light and Dark Committee

Moorhouse's Black Cat
Elgood's Black Dog
Harvey's Sussex Mild
Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild
Hardy's and Hanson's Kimberley Mild
Tetley's Dark Mild
Timothy Taylor's Golden Best
Bateman's Mild
Batham's Mild
Brains Dark
Cains Dark Mild
Crab & Winkle Mild

l Visit www.camra.org.uk/mild for details of CAMRA activities around the country in support of Mild Month.