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"Adeptus":34zd62jy wrote: I tend to agree with Ken and BeerNut. We're quietly picking away at groups of people, and they'll go spread news themselves, so I do believe there's a quit revolution going on. At least it's "direct marketting" within our own social circles. Places like the B&C, Porterhouse and Bierhaus are all doing something positive, and judging by the selection avilable in our offies and supermarkets compared to even 5 years ago, there's some improvement.

The main thing is supporting our indigenous craft brewers. Helping to raise their profile is one thing we are all doing, and I know ICB helped get Hooker into Dublin, and we could probably do more of that sort of thing. I'm not sure about ICB.com becoming a CAMRA-type lobbying organisation. As TBN said, they were rescuing a tradition that was dying, we're trying to encourage our fellow drinkers to try something new, and where possible Irish (and not just cask beers). I, for one, do this every time I go out for beers with friends and colleages, and it's working, slowly but surely <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

I'm not sure [i:34zd62jy]another[/i:34zd62jy] festival is the answer, unless the beer was being given away free <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->[/quote:34zd62jy]
I broadly agree with you. A festival mightn't be the best way of going about it. I also know you're right when you say that things are picking up in this country. I just find it disturbing when I hear about breweries struggling and closing. It also sickens me to the core when I see people drinking dodgy booze.

What CAMRA acheived was amazing and really impressive. I don't think it's too relevant that the circumstances we're facing is different to the situation in the UK in 70's. Obviously I'm not suggesting that they should be mimiced entirely. I do think lessons could be learnt though about the power of consumer lobbying.

We might be missing the point that a geat many people don't really like beer at all, they merely drink it to get sozzled. This is the case just about everywhere. Sure, the Czechs drink more than us but it's merely good fortune for them that they have some of the finest pilsner around to sup on. If the micro market is going to improve it will have to target those who don't just drink to get hammered, and that market is not very big at all, especially among the younger generation. I'm not aying that everyone drinks to get drunk, but the proportion of people who do this is surprisingly high. Just look at the cheap spirit and alcopop market; it's booming and those who drink that shite are not savouring the taste.

&amp;quot;Wobbler&amp;quot;:3o28d3r1 wrote: It also sickens me to the core when I see people drinking dodgy booze.
[/quote:3o28d3r1]

Jeez, you need to relax a little, Wobbler. Life's too short to be worrying [i:3o28d3r1]so much[/i:3o28d3r1] over what other people consume.

&amp;quot;noby&amp;quot;:3976rcdg wrote:

&amp;quot;Wobbler&amp;quot;:3976rcdg wrote: It also sickens me to the core when I see people drinking dodgy booze.
[/quote:3976rcdg]

Jeez, you need to relax a little, Wobbler. Life's too short to be worrying [i:3976rcdg]so much[/i:3976rcdg] over what other people consume.[/quote:3976rcdg]

I tend to agree with Noby. If you feel that strongly about it I imagine you find it hard not to critisize people who drink bland beer. I have made comments in the past about friends' beer choices and learned that it is an effective way to make enemies and alienate people. Perhaps you have more sense than me and leave others be.

There's a fine line between being passionate about beer and being a beer snob, and I've certainly been accused of both. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> I now try to moderate my tongue before I put it into gear, and more often than not just suggest that friends and colleauges try something I'm drinking, or try to help them make a choice based on their taste preferences if they ask for advice in a pub that doesn't sell what they normally drink.

I think it's fair to say that we are [b:my5q09va]all [/b:my5q09va]passionate about beer and want to promote the quality (and where possible local) stuff we love, not try to pour it down peoples throats, so lets not go down the route of judging each others motives.

Have a homebrew <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

It's not about judging each others' motives.
My comment was about our reaction to people's choices.
To be 'sickened to the core' because someone chooses to drink Bud (for example) is a little unhealthy IMO. Maybe Wobbler used the phrase more as a figure of speech, and I'm wrong to take it up too literally, but beyond some gentle persuasion/guidance/education I just live and let live.