Cask Ale: Why It Deserves Heritage Status
With Jonny Garrett

In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, we sit down with Jonny Garrett, beer writer, YouTuber, and co-founder of The Craft Beer Channel – for an in-depth conversation about the future of cask ale and the UK beer industry.
Jonny shares how his love for beer began in British pubs, how the pandemic impacted cask beer, and why he’s campaigning to have cask ale recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
Episode Highlights
- Challenges facing UK breweries: market access, rising costs, and changing tastes
- The evolving world of beer publishing and writing
- The campaig to have cask ale recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage
- The role of influencers vs traditional beer writers
Jonny says:
“It is illegal in most parts of the world. The situation we have here where you can restrict what is sold in a license premises.”
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Why This Episode Matters
This episode matters to consumers because it shines a light on why cask ale is such a vital part of Britain’s beer culture and what’s at stake if it isn’t protected. Jonny Garrett, beer writer and co-founder of The Craft Beer Channel, shares how his love for beer began in pubs, why the pandemic hit cask so hard, and the urgent need to preserve it for future generations. His campaign to have cask ale recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage highlights not just its historic importance, but also the role drinkers play in keeping it alive. For consumers, this conversation shows that every pint of cask ordered helps safeguard a unique tradition and ensures pubs remain central to community life.
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