What is CAMRA?

In 1971 angry beer lovers in England formed the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to combat the replacement of traditional regional beers with “mainstream” factory beers. Affiliated with the now 98,000-strong CAMRA UK, CAMRA BC supports the brewing of traditional styles of beer in the traditional manner, using traditional ingredients. The Society promotes naturally brewed live beers of all styles: ales, lagers, stouts, etc.

Granville Island Brewing tour

CAMRA aims to:

  • maintain consumer rights
  • promote quality, choice, and value for money
  • support the public house as a focus of community life
  • campaign for greater appreciation of traditional beers, ciders, and perries as part of national heritage and culture
  • promote and preserve full-flavoured & distinctive beers and decent pubs

What is CAMRA BC?

The Campaign for Real Ale Society of British Columbia was incorporated in 1990 as a registered non-profit organization in the province of British Columbia. CAMRA BC is dedicated to the promotion and responsible consumption of natural, crafted beers.

Membership is approximately 400 and includes microbreweries, pubs, restaurants, and specialty liquor stores as corporate members. Many members are also skilled amateur brewers. Activities include beer tastings, brewery tours, food pairing dinners & seminars, publication of a bi-monthly newsletter (What’s Brewing), an annual homebrew contest, and regular social gatherings.

CAMRA members are eager to apply their talents and experience to promoting widespread public appreciation of the many “real beers” that have become available in recent years. CAMRA BC is growing and opening up chapters throughout the province to make it more accessible to all. Membership is open to all individuals and is governed by a voluntary, unpaid executive elected by the membership. The society is financed through membership subscriptions, sales of books and sweatshirts, and ads in the What’s Brewing newsletter.

Great Canadian Beer Festival 2008