The new What’s Brewing online platform is now live!
The new What’s Brewing Online platform is now live and ready for use
A team of volunteers and staff have worked hard on delivering this new service. What’s Brewing has evolved from a monthly printed publication to a new and improved digital platform to meet the needs of our members and bring you the news you want – when you want it.
The What’s Brewing website is a new, dynamic digital platform, providing members with:
- A new look and feel
- Content tailored to you
- Easy to search for articles
- Greater ability to share video, audio and imagery
- Plus full mobile optimisation
The entire site has been brought behind a membership log-in – once logged in with your usual membership details, you will be able to select your news preferences, such as filtering by region or topic interests.
In an increasingly digital age, we want our members to be able to access news as and when it’s happening. In addition to logging your preferences, you will be able to opt-in to a regular email news alert, bringing you updates straight to your inbox as regularly as you would like it.
Once logged in, click on “My Alerts” and choose the type of news you want to be alerted about, from where and how often.
We have also set up a new Twitter feed to keep you updated with the latest stories: you can follow @WBOnline_ by clicking below.
We hope that this new platform will be a brilliant way to not only share national and industry news, but to bring local stories and the hard work of our branches to the forefront. To help bridge the gap between national and local campaigning, and to provide you with even greater content and news stories relevant to you, we would like to encourage volunteer writers from across the UK to contribute to the What’s Brewing online platform.
There is also scope for ongoing improvement over the coming 12-18 months based on member feedback. We will ensure there is plenty of opportunity to hear your thoughts on the new site, and what future updates can be made to make What’s Brewing Online a service that works for you.
We hope you enjoy visiting the new site, and exploring the new features available. If you would like more information about this decision, the timeline for changes and web platform improvements, you can find more on the evolution of What’s Brewing below.
The evolution of What’s Brewing
Exciting changes are in the pipeline for CAMRA’s premier publication. Learn about the changes, how and why the decision has been made, timelines you can expect and how to get involved!
The printed edition of What’s Brewing has been a staple of CAMRA campaigning since our founding, bringing news and campaigns to beer and pub lovers across the UK.
Yet as we enter a new digital age – propelled at high-speed thanks to COVID-19 – it has become clear that our members need more news, quicker and better connected to their local area.
What’s Brewing is evolving from a monthly printed publication to a new and improved digital platform to meet that need and bring you the news you really want – when you want it. As a result, the last monthly printed edition of What’s Brewing was the the April 2021 edition, which landed on doorsteps in March 2021.
The rationale
The What’s Brewing print-to-digital project is just one of the decisions that has been taken to make CAMRA’s campaigns more well-resourced and agile to save more pubs and breweries in these challenging times. In the last year alone, we launched a new Learn & Discover platform to host a range of video and audio guides to help members learn more about their favourite drink. The highly popular podcast Pubs. Pints. People. ran throughout the year and will be returning next month for yet another season of CAMRA chat. We built a virtual pub – the Red (On)Lion – and launched Brew2You to help local producers and pubs stay afloat during this difficult time.
It is not only the responsible action to take but one that makes sense when planning for CAMRA’s future, taking into account how we are all digesting news in 2021 and beyond.
What are the changes?
A dynamic digital platform
A major overhaul of the current digital platform wb.camra.org.uk is underway to provide our members with a new look & feel, easy to search for articles, greater ability to share video, audio and imagery and full mobile optimisation. The entire site will be brought behind a membership log-in, upon which members can select their news preference – such as “North East” or “South West” news + “AGM updates”, and receive that news front and centre.
More content
After a very difficult year of pub closures having a major impact on local branch magazines, it is clear that local campaigning stories need a home. To help bridge the gap between national and local campaigning, and to provide you with even greater content and news stories relevant to you, we will be welcoming volunteer writers to contribute to What’s Brewing online from across the UK.
Greater frequency
One of the drawbacks to the What’s Brewing monthly newspaper has always been the wait each month for the next edition to land on your doorstep. In an increasingly digital age, our members need to be access news as and when it’s happening. That is why we will be creating a tailored newsletter to bring you updates straight to your inbox and a new Twitter feed to keep you updated in-between issues.
Enhanced BEER Magazine
BEER magazine will still be available in print and digital forms every quarter. In addition, from the Autumn 2021 issue onwards BEER will include an eight-page What’s Brewing insert, to help keep our print readers up-to-date with CAMRA news, features and analysis, opinions and more.
Getting involved!
Would you like to get involved as a What’s Brewing contributor? We need your help to bridge the gap between local and national campaigning stories!
Whether you are experienced in writing branch magazine or online content or would like to try your hand at something new, training, advice and support will be provided.
If you wish to volunteer, fill in your contact details below and we will get in touch as soon as we get the process lined up!
Want to know more about the decision-making process?
For more info on the decision-making process and governance behind this change, log in and visit the volunteers’ area below.
Covid Secure Beer Festivals FAQs
Do I need proof of a negative Covid-19 test?
No you do not need proof of a negative Covid-19 test to enter a CAMRA festival.
I’ve had Covid-19 in the past 3 months, can I still attend?
- If you have tested positive for Coronavirus or develop coronavirus symptoms in the past 10 days please do not attend the festival.
- Please do not attend a festival if you need to self-isolate because you are displaying any Covid-19 symptoms, even if these symptoms are mild.
- If you or anyone you live with have one or more Covid-19 symptoms you should follow the government guidance on testing and self-isolation.
I’m not vaccinated can I attend?
Yes, you can attend a festival. In line with government advice, the decision to attend it up to you.
What have you put in place to keep attendees safe?
- Each festival organiser will undertake a Festival Covid-19 Risk Assessment. This should be available to view on the local festival’s website. You can contact the organiser for a copy.
- There will be ample hand washing facilities and hand sanitizer available. To help keep everyone safe, we ask that you sanitize your hands upon entering (and leaving) the festival.
- Volunteers working at CAMRA festivals will be: fully trained in how to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 contamination including cleaning procedures, glass guidelines and will be provided with PPE to wear in crowded areas, should they wish to use it.
- Whilst social distancing is not a government requirement, it may be implemented at some festivals. It will be encouraged where possible via one way systems, floor markers to help with ease of traffic.
Will you have sanitation facilities?
Yes there will be plenty of hand sanitizer and hand washing facilities available throughout the festivals.
Is there a limit to people in a group?
There is currently no limit on groups.
Do I need to have the Track and Trace app?
Government guidance encourages Track and Trace but it is not a legal obligation. Festivals that are able to and chose too will be offering Track and Trace.
Will the festival capacity still be the same?
Capacity at some festivals will be slightly reduced to take into account social distancing.
Do I need to book a table?
Table service is no longer a requirement but will be at discretion of organiser. Please see the festival website for details.
Is there bar service or table service?
Under the new guidance service will be at the bar and is not limited to table service.
Will the queues be longer?
Queues might be longer in some instances, however we do not envisage so. We ask that you are patient and bear with the bar staff.
Do I keep the same glass?
Yes you will need to keep the same glass throughout the festival. Please make use of the glass washing facilities.
Can I sample the beer?
Customers can keep their own glass but must not share it with others. You should therefore be able to sample from your own glass.
Are you taking cash?
Where possible festivals will be cash-less and using beer tokens to minimise contact.
I’ve tested positive after the festival, what do I need to do?
Track and Trace should alert those who you have been in close contact with. Festival organisers will then contact (if possible) those who attended that session. If customers bought their tickets in advance, Festival Organiser can contact them using their details. If the festival is still ongoing, the areas the customer who tested positive have been will be deep cleaned.
I’m vulnerable. Is it safe to attend?
- Whilst it is ultimately your decision to attend the festival, all measures have been taken to make the festival as secure against Covid-19 as possible
- The public areas will be cleaned regularly throughout the day, at a mnimum of 4 times a day
- Social distancing measures will be in place where possible
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available
- You can wear a face mask in busy area.