A petition has been launched requesting that the government nominates cask ale for Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Status. Phil Simpson of Lancaster Brewery is quoted in the press as saying that he is surprised that it hasn’t been given this status already.

The UK only ratified the Unesco convention in March of last year and cask ale could become the country’s first cultural icon under the scheme.

A government response to the petition is expected in the near future.

Decline in real ale sales is largely down to an almost complete lack in advertising by the big brewers. Apart from a regular full page Timothy Taylor’s advert in Private Eye magazine there is precious little else.

Well brewed, well kept British cask ale is a world beater and worthy of Unecso status.