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To: SIBA Regions
Date:12/11/13
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
Apologies; Attendees.
MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING
REGIONAL BUSINESS
TRUSTEES' REPORT
Please refer to the latest CouncilMeetingReport document.- meeting 4th December 2013
REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Applications
Provisional Members
REGIONAL FINANCE
NATIONAL & REGIONAL UPDATES
Please refer to pages of your latest SIBAOperationsReport as follows:
1)
SECRETARIAT & OPERATIONS
2)
MEMBERSHIP & MEMBERS' SERVICES
3)
IT & COMMUNICATIONS
4)
FINANCIAL
5)
POLITICAL & CAMPAIGNS
Engagement with industry survey
6)
MARKETING & EVENTS
7)
COMMERCIAL
8)
BREWING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
9)
CONTAINER MANAGEMENT
10) BEER COMPETITIONS
11) REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
12) EVENTS SCHEDULE
13) FUTURE MEETINGS
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1. SECRETARIAT & OPERATIONS
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 SIBA National Office landline is now live: 01283 535351.
Appraisals
 All National staff appraisals have taken place. Following her 3-month review, Siobhan McGonigle has
been offered, and has accepted, permanent employment.
2. MEMBERSHIP & MEMBERS' SERVICES
 Updated membership numbers, 12/11/13:
o 707 brewing members
o 55 not yet brewing members
o 6 Associate Brewers
o 200 Supplier Associates
o 119 SIBA Locals
 CG evaluation of costs for new category of individual member (or 'friend of SIBA') is on hold until a
decision on SIBA Locals benefits has been finalised.
 New membership certificates have been printed and sent out to ALL members.
SIBA Locals
 Steering Committee undertaking review of SIBA Locals membership scheme [JG/GS/DSw plus others
interested] will meet in Burton, 03/12/13, and report recommendations to Council the following day.
 A formal decision about the future of SIBA Locals will be taken before the next National AGM.
3. IT & COMMUNICATIONS
IT
 Transfer of computer operations to a 'cloud' provider remains an ongoing action.
SIBA: 'Building the Future of British Beer'
 Filmed interview with JG during GBBF, to communicate the SIBA vision statement and 'to showcase
both the thriving local brewing industry and SIBA’s work to ensure its continued success' – as reported
on the Beer Today website, http://beertoday.co.uk/new-siba-video-building-the-future-of-british-beer/.
 Link to film from SIBA website, or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/sibalocal/videos.
PR Activity, Aug-Oct 2013
'Penny-Off' investment
 Provided copy based on survey of members, sourced images of brewers, and additional comment
from a SIBA supplier associate, to be included within 'Cheers', the document produced by BBPA and
distributed at Tory Party Conference.
 Liaised with Tatton Brewery and All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, to ensure the brewer’s 'Pennies
from 11' beer was available at the beer reception at Tory Party Conference.
 Attended Beer Group reception at Labour Party Conference in Brighton.
Engagement with industry initiatives
 Drafting email from KB asking members to engage with the It's Better Down the Pub 'thunder clap'
designed to boost Twitter following for the campaign. (see below)
 Discussions with Laura Mackie, campaign manager for Let There Be Beer, and coordinating article
on the campaign appearing in last issue of Journal. (see below)
Publican Awards 2014
 Liaised with Publican's Morning Advertiser on the Best Microbrewing Pub Company category in the
Publican Awards 2014, which is now running 'in association with SIBA'. In return for a modest
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sponsorship fee, SIBA’s logo appears on the Award entry form and
website, and will appear on stage at the Awards dinner in March next year. A SIBA representative will
be asked to join the judging panel and to present the Award on stage, and a logo and words about
SIBA will appear alongside the piece on the winner in the PMA.
BeerX 2014
 Took part in several phone conferences with Alex Buchanan and Adelle Draper to discuss
PR/marketing strategy as BeerX takes shape.
 Drafted launch press release and copy for members/industry delegates for the SIBA/BeerX website.
 Revised copy for the consumer-facing beerx.org website.
Guest Ales in Strangers' Bar
 Liaising with Robert Humphreys of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, drafted a template local
press release and 'how to PR' guidance notes for brewers asked by their MP to showcase a beer in
the Strangers' Bar at the House of Commons.
Craft beer debate
 Drafting a statement to reflect decision taken at last Council to term all members as '‘craft brewers'
and to look at adding 'craft' to logo. Statement for reactive use only, now sent by KB to all Council
members. (see below)
Press releases/statements issued:
 SIBA brewers' success at Great British Beer Festival CBOB.
 New SIBA film produced at GBBF.
 Response to Moorhouse's comment on beer discounting.
 BeerX 2014 launch.
 Guest Ales in Strangers' Bar template local release.
 Craft beer.
Selected Trade Press Coverage
Inapub, September 2013
Peach Report 14/08/13
Publican Awards website
PMA 07/11/13
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Cheers! brochure
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Off Licence News 01/11/13
4. FINANCIAL
 Following appraisals, pay review recommendations have been implemented.
Accounts
 Annual accounts are in preparation.
 Results are in line with forecast: likely to show an overall loss across the three companies.
 This is due to first-year BeerX costs.
 Accounts audit is currently in progress.
5. POLITICAL & CAMPAIGNS
Duty Fraud
 Further to circulation of the proposed SIBA response to the latest round of consultation, KB has
finalised draft, distributed to Council, and made submission to HMRC.
Beer Industry Campaign Group
 'Penny-Off' investment: see PR notes above.
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 Next meeting due to take place 12/11/13, at the Red Lion,
Westminster, with Andrew Griffiths MP attending; KB, JG and Ros Shiel attending for SIBA.
 Agenda includes:
o Beer Duty messaging
o Parliamentary engagement
o Budget submissions
o Media strategy
o Update on current SBR policies
o Duty Fraud consultation round-up
o VAT Club activity
o Local alcohol and licensing activity, inc. planned higher-strength beer bans
o Exports
o Business rates
 KB, JG and Ros Shiel attended PR Week Awards, 22/10/13, with BBPA, CAMRA and the PR
company responsible for co-ordinating the successful duty campaign, which was shortlisted for the
'Public Sector' campaign award (not won!).
Cask Report
 2013/14 Cask Report officially launched at Brew Wharf, London Bridge, 26/09/13.
 JG attended and took part on the panel for a 'Cask Seminar' discussion around all the issues facing
the marketing of cask beer.
 JG continues to work with the Cask Matters steering group on the development of cask marketing and
communication strategy, cask bar staff training, the creation and management of the Cask Matters
website, and production of the Cask Report.
Industry Survey 2013
 Questionnaire running from 01/11/13 to 02/12/13.
 At 12/11/13, 48 brewers have started their response, but only 28 have completed.
 Regional split to date is as follows:
Scotland 1
North East 4
North West 4
Wales & West 4
Midlands 4
East
1
South West 7
South East
3
 Trustees are requested to urge their own region to maximise its representation in the Survey – and to
complete the questionnaire themselves as soon as possible.
'Craft' Debate
 Proposed decisions taken at last Council meeting do not appear to be gathering widespread support
among the membership – as evidenced by responses at regional meetings and in Industry Survey
answers.
 Currently, 52% of questionnaire replies are opposed to the adoption of the statement 'All full brewing
members of SIBA are craft brewers' and are against the incorporation of the word 'craft' into the SIBA
logo (only 7.5% are in favour and 40.5% have no strong opinion); and less than 30% want an industryagreed definition of 'craft'.
6. MARKETING & EVENTS
BeerX 2014
 BeerX 2014 officially launched 01/11/13.
 All information can be found at http://beerx.siba.co.uk/
SIBA Business Awards 2014
 Officially launched 30/10/13.
 The deadline for all supporting material submissions is 17/01/14.
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 Other dates and details can be found at
http://.siba.co.uk/businessawards
GBBF
 SIBA participated in creation of YouTube GBBF channel, at http://www.youtube.com/user/GBBF2013.
 Channel includes tasting notes on four of the beers featured on the SIBA bar.
'Let There Be Beer'
 This campaign has been launched by and is being led by major international brewing groups, for the
generic promotion of beer.
 Industry and consumer groups – including SIBA and CAMRA – are supportive, but criticism has been
levelled that it is all about the promotion of global brands.
 Taking it beyond these brewers and their brands to highlight the wealth of diversity and choice
depends on the level of the wider industry's engagement in the campaign.
'It's Better Down The Pub'
 Joint industry and consumer campaign now up and running, with SIBA as a key partner.
 Partners also include CAMRA, IFBB, Pub is the Hub, and private companies within the pub industry's
infrastructure (Admiral, Stonegate, Heineken, Diageo, Fuller's, Everards, Christie, etc.).
 Details at http://www.itsbetterdownthepub.com/.
 Film at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ym0qTlbAs.
Independent Brewers Festival
 Held at the NBC in association with SIBA and the National Barrel Rolling Championships.
 This was a very successful event – 600 tickets sold on 'Wowcher'.
 Images below:
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7. COMMERCIAL
SIBA DDS (as at August 2013)
 With just one month of the financial year to go, DDS on-trade volume stands at 34,274 barrels, 500
barrels (1.44%) below last year’s level, whilst turnover is 1.27% down, at £9.68m.
 Average throughput per outlet for DDS on trade as a whole is up by 2.1%, at 15.4 barrels per pub for
the financial year.
 On-trade volume in August 2013 was 0.7% (approx. 24 barrels) up on August 2012.
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 The continuing decline in Enterprise volume remains the major
concern, with a fall of 3,795 barrels, some 18%, experienced over this financial year. Only 1,200
Enterprise pubs have purchased from DDS in the last 11 months, compared with over 1,400 during
the previous year. A detailed response to the revised pricing structure proposal put to Enterprise in
July 2013 is still awaited. 1,570 Enterprise pubs are eligible to buy from DDS, and despite close
scrutiny by Enterprise of the DDS portfolio during 2013, around 1,000 beers remain available to pubs.
 Spirit and Greene King managed pubs have seen the strongest year-on-year growth in DDS during
2012-13, with 140 additional pubs buying, and volumes up by almost 3000 barrels.
SIBA IDS/Ooberstock
 During Oct12-Aug13, 21 SIBA brewers have sold a total of 1,072 x 9g to independent free trade
outlets via Ooberstock, delivered by KNDL. In addition, 18 of these brewers have sold 556 x 9g casks
to Greene King managed houses for beer festivals, with consolidated delivery by KNDL.
 SIBA is yet to recoup its investment in supporting brewers to use the Ooberstock route to market, but
the situation has recently changed, with a controlling stake in the company being acquired by
Drinks21, whose sister company Interbev UK has an annual turnover of around £55m.
 SIBA understands that Ooberstock will now follow a more traditional wholesale model, focusing its
sales effort on national account customers and continued growth within the independent free trade
sector, and seeking to expand its cask and craft beer offering.
 This shift to wholesale has changed the pricing structure, and SIBA no longer has to pay additional
costs associated with retail delivery, systems and administration.
 In view of the support already provided, SIBA intends to continue to offer an opportunity to supply
Ooberstock’s customers to those brewers who wish to do so, and in so doing, to recoup early financial
losses.
 However, the situation will continue to be closely monitored.
Commercial Board Report
Business Section
 The day-to-day operations of DDS were considered: the main points raised related to the continued
vulnerability because of the scheme’s exposure to a few very large customers.
 Ooberstock has been taken over and were looking to change their relationship with SIBA and its
participating members. It was agreed that existing members should continue under the SIBA banner
but that until the situation was clarified no new SIDA members would be admitted to the scheme.
 Accounts were reviewed, several points noted and comments made; all were answered satisfactorily
and accounts were approved.
 The remunerations committee met separately and then made a recommendation for a modest staff
salary increase, which was accepted by the Board.
 Budgets were considered slightly vague and in need of revision in the light of salary increases and
other items that were only agreed at the meeting, and to reflect the changing organisational structure
and roles and responsibilities.
Strategic Review
 On behalf of the Trustees it was suggested that due process has not been followed and that the
Commercial Board is not the forum for discussion of the structure of the Council of Trustees.
 Further it was stated that the senior management team KPI document had not been completed in the
timeframe required to allow DDS Board Trustees to consider the implications of any proposed
changes before the meeting.
 Apologies were offered and accepted, as it was pointed out that the process has taken a lot longer
than KB had anticipated.
 There was considerable discussion of the documents and it was proposed that a new role of elected
President should be considered. A separate paper on this idea has been prepared.
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 It was unfortunate that JG was unable to attend the meeting as it was
felt his input was needed.
 Names were suggested for some of the roles that the proposed new management structure would
require, but as this was not in the gift of the DDS Board to approve, recommendations only were
made, to be presented – if requested – by Board Trustees to Council in December.
 It was proposed that any new structure agreed and implemented, and any new appointments made,
be given a bedding-in period of two years, and that contracts should reflect this.
8. BREWING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
 Scheduled meetings with the Grains Committee and BBPA have been proposed and will be reported
on next quarter.
 IBD Hop Committee meeting is also due. DB is unable to attend this but will circulate full report as
soon as possible.
 The EU is investigating brewing industry use and effects of 'process additions' (e.g. use of ascorbic
acid, use of caramel, SO2 levels, etc.).
 BBPA is leading replies to enquiries, but DB is looking at ways to expedite polling of SIBA members
for requested information, to ensure that smaller brewers have input into discussions.
 DB has been able to resolve a number of calls from members regarding technical and process
enquiries; where possible, these have been passed to BRI.
9. CONTAINER MANAGEMENT
Container security
 The BBPA Returnable Asset Management Panel (RAMP) estimates that industry container losses to
theft are running at around 7% per annum.
 On behalf of the industry, Keg Watch has commenced over 70 investigations into theft and
unauthorised dealing in containers during the last few months.
 New legislation governing the conduct of scrap dealers comes into force in December 2013 – a list of
accredited scrap dealers and best practice guidelines for the disposal of old containers may be found
on the SIBA website.
Industry initiatives
 RAMP has carried out a survey concerning the use of locator boards within the industry, and their
initial estimates of the costs involved suggest that the establishment of an independently-controlled
'industry pool' of locator boards may be a viable proposition, both for the purchasers of locators and
the scheme operator.
 Further detailed work is needed, both on the financial aspects and operational implications of such a
scheme.
 SIBA attends RAMP meetings at the invitation of the BBPA and is consulted on relevant matters on
behalf of members.
NCRNet
 SIBA continues to work to ensure that other suppliers do not incorrectly collect SIBA brewers'
containers, and to reduce the number of 'at risk' containers.
 During Jan-Aug 2013, the number of SIBA members' casks secured by Keg Watch is 14% up on the
same period in 2012, with almost 3,000 casks being transferred to SIBA hubsites.
 Keg Watch works on behalf of the brewing industry to secure and repatriate containers, and has been
handling an average of 14,000 containers each month during 2013, around 1,800 of which belong to
SIBA members.
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 It is important to note that, each month on average, only around 25
SIBA members' casks are returned via NCRNet and Keg Watch. SIBA orange labels are free to most
members and their use is a very effective way to “protect” casks in trade - please see the 'Container
Care' section of the SIBA Toolbox for more details.
One-third of the casks returned via NCRNet and Keg Watch initially turn up at major 3PL distributors'
sorting sites – SIBA is in regular contact with these companies, and the number of casks returned
from Carlsberg and Tradeteam sites have seen reductions in recent months.
An NCRNet priority for the coming months will be to identify those wholesalers who are regularly
collecting containers incorrectly, and to improve their awareness of the process.
PLEASE NOTE that SIBA brewers can help to protect and manage their containers by:
o Correctly attaching orange labels to their directly-delivered containers
o Nominating their nearest SIBA hubsite or Keg Watch yard as a preferred collection point – where
brewers have not done so, their nearest Keg Watch yard is assumed
o Regularly checking the SPATrak system for their containers, and also listing any other brewers'
containers which may need to be collected
Any queries on NCRNet and container repatriation should be addressed to containers@siba.co.uk.
10. BEER COMPETITIONS
Revision of Rules, Categories etc. 2014
 JG is working on amendments to cask categories and redrafting of bottle categories, for the 2014/15
competitions, due to commence with the SW comp in Newton Abbot in April.
 Proposals for discussion and approval will be presented at Council.
 CG is investigating possible locations for the potential National Keg competition split.
SIBA North East Region Beer Competition
 York CAMRA Beer Festival, 18/09/13.
 154 Casks / 80 Bottles
 Cask Winners: Brass Castle (Gold), Ossett (Silver), Hambleton (Bronze)
SIBA East Region Beer Competition
 St Albans CAMRA Beer Festival, 25/09/13.
 131 Casks / 48 Bottles
 Cask Winners: Brewsters (Gold), Green Jack(Silver), Oakham (Bronze)
SIBA Midland Region Beer Competition
 Nottingham CAMRA Beer Festival, 10/10/13.
 314 Casks / 120 Bottles
 Cask Winners: Brampton (Gold), Blue Monkey (Silver), Great Oakley (Bronze)
SIBA North West Region Beer Competition
 The Beer Hall, Hawkshead Brewery, 24/10/13.
 196 Casks / 85 Bottles
 Cask Winners: Brightside (Gold), Okells (Silver), Doghouse (Bronze)
SIBA Scotland Region Beer Competition
 Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Glasgow, 06/11/13.
 109 Casks / 60 Bottles
 Cask Winners: Highland (Gold), Fyne Ales (Silver), Kelburn (Bronze)
2014 Competitions
 24/04/14 – South West (entry invitations 02/12/13)
 09/05/14 – Wales West (entry invitations 03/02/14)
 11/07/14 – South East
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 15/07/14 – East (provisional)
 09/10/14 – Midlands
 23/10/14 – North West (provisional)
 TBA - North East
 TBA - Scotland
2015 Competitions
 16/04/15 – South West
 08/05/15 – Wales West
 08/10/15 - Midlands
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11. REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
 (Ongoing note) If regional heads wish to consider incorporating a presentation into a regional meeting
(before, after or during), CG will provide database and contact details of supply associate members
who have indicated an interest in giving a presentation of their services to brewers.
12. EVENTS SCHEDULE
SIBA Business Awards – ENTRY DEADLINE
17/01/2014
SIBA South West Region Meeting & AGM
17/01/2014
SIBA Scotland Region Meeting & AGM
23/01/2014
SIBA Wales & West Region Meeting & AGM
24/01/2014
SIBA North West Region Meeting & AGM
30/01/2014
SIBA North East Region Meeting & AGM
30/01/2014
BFBI – Annual Dinner – London
31/01/2014
SIBA Wales & West Beer Competition - ENTRY DEADLINE
31/01/2014
SIBA Business Awards – Judging Day
05/02/2014
SIBA South East Region Meeting & AGM
05/02/2014
SIBA Council Meeting
11/02/2014
SIBA South West Region Beer Competition – ENTRY DEADLINE
14/02/2014
SIBA East Region Meeting
19/02/2014
SIBA BeerX National Beer Competitions
11/03/2014
SIBA Beer X – iceSheffield
12/03/2014 – 13/03/2014
Asia Pacific Section 2014 Convention
23/03/2014 – 28/03/2014
SIBA South West Region Beer Competition 2014
24/04/2014
Maltings Beer Festival 2014
24/04/2014 – 26/04/2014
SIBA Wales & West Region Beer Competition 2014
09/05/2014
SIBA Wales & West Regional Meeting 2014
10/05/2014
SIBA South East Region Beer Competition 2014
11/07/2014
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SIBA East Region Beer Competition 2014
15/07/2014?
Great British Beer Festival - SIBA Bar
12/08/2014 – 16/08/2014
IBD - Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference
08/09/2014 – 11/09/2014
SIBA Midlands Region Beer Competition 2014
09/10/2014
SIBA North West Region Beer Competition 2014
23/10/2014?
SIBA North Keg Beer Competition 2014
27/11/2014
SIBA South West Region Beer Competition 2015
16/04/2015
Maltings Beer Festival 2015
16/04/2015 – 18/04/2015