Swindon’s biggest brewery has welcomed the decision to ban sexist names at the Great British Beer Festival.

Arkell’s has declared that beer is for everyone and that the removal of sexist names from certain beers and ciders should help increase the number female fans.

 

 

Names such as Amber’s Hot Friend and Hoppy Ending will no longer be welcome at the event hosted by the Campaign for Real Ale.

Alex Arkell, head brewer, said: “Arkell’s clearly supports the drive to encourage more women into drinking, enjoying and, hopefully, brewing beer.

“Actually, some of the best brewers in the country are now women.Beer is a drink for everyone.”

Richard James, secretary of the Swindon and North Wiltshire branch, said: “The Great British Beer Festival is CAMRA’s flagship event and it’s a national event.

“They’re taking the lead to show that sexist names are no longer appropriate for this day and age and they should be stamped out.

“The names could be considered as off putting because it could be seen as laddish or being stuck in the past.

“Here in Swindon we’re trying to appease everyone in town. Even the organiser of Swindon’s beer festival is a woman, so it shows that beer can be enjoyed by everyone.

“The issue isn’t something that we really sit down and think about, we just go to the pubs and have a pint.

“Everyone is welcome no matter what, we really don’t discriminate.

“It helps that craft beers have grown in popularity, especially in the newer pubs in Old Town. You see a real mix of people in those pubs, not just men.

“For someone who’s looking into trying beers for the first time, right now I would recommend a nice golden beer like Summer Lightning or Arkell’s Wiltshire Gold, something light and summery.

“But really there is something for everyone, just yesterday I tried a beer that was made with marshmallows and coconut, it wasn’t for everyone, but I enjoyed it.”

CAMRA’s decision to ban the names came after research conducted with YouGov revealed that only 17 per cent of women in the UK drink beer.

Research also found that 68 per cent of female drinkers would be less likely to buy the ale if it had a name that they found sexist.

The Great British Beer Festival is held in London this week and offers over 1,000 different beers and ciders.

CAMRA's National Director, Abigail Newton, said: It is not a man’s drink or a woman’s drink, it is a drink for everyone. Work needs to be done to overcome the stereotypes.”