NEARLY half of Arkell’s Brewery landlords have won Cask Marque accreditation for serving the perfect pint of cask-conditioned ale. And the brewery is celebrating with two more Swindon landlords – Dave Howells, at The Boundary House, and Pete and Bev Neal, at The Moonrakers, who have also achieved the prestigious status.

Backed by 45 of the country’s leading brewers and pub companies, Cask Marque accreditation is only awarded to licensees whose ale passes a series of rigorous independent beer quality audits.

Since its foundation in 1997 Cask Marque has inspected 135,000 pints of beer and accredited more than 6,000 of the country’s 36,500 pubs estimated to serve one or more cask conditioned ales.

Cask Marque director Paul Nunny said: “Arkell’s should feel justifiably proud of this excellent achievement, which not only recognises the commitment the brewery has made to serving the perfect pint but also acts as an independent guarantee of quality for customers.

“All too often, publicans don’t appreciate the care cask beers require and run the risk of losing custom by serving pints below par.”

Alex Arkell, the brewer at the Wiltshire family brewery, said: “At the brewery it’s our responsibility to ensure our beer leaves the brewery in absolutely top condition. “Then the responsibility is passed to our landlords who look after the beer properly from barrel to glass.

“When I began working in the brewery last year I felt that the best sign of beer quality in a pub was the Cask Marque sign which appears outside pubs guaranteeing that inside you will get a great pint of cask ale.”

Arkell’s is aiming for all its landlords to be Cask Marque accredited.