Silver Surfers Cheshire

www.silverlivingmagazine.co.uk 6 Award-winning Traditional Fish & Chips 289 Manchester Road, Northwich CW9 7NE Tel: 01606 42342 www.thecodfather.org.uk BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! BUY SAUSAGE, CHIPS AND A SIDE GET SAUSAGE AND CHIPS FREE Valid from21stDec2019–20thMarch2020 (T&Csapply) Not tobeused inconjunctionwithany otheroffersSide=CurryPeasorGravy. NotonaFridayor BankHoliday. Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain ( five times), CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain (six times) and World’s Best Design. It’s the cat’s pyjamas! THE Campaign for Real Ale marked the first day of September as ‘Pub Tax Day’ and used the occasion to call for reductions in the tax charged on draught beer to halt the decline in Britain’s pubs and to keep beer affordable. With four months, or one third, of the year remaining, Pub Tax Day marked the point after which everything spent on beer in pubs for the rest of the year will effectively go straight into the taxman’s pocket. One third of the price of a pint of beer is made up of the cost of taxes. The campaign is calling on the government to use its next Budget to shake up the beer tax regime, so that for the first time it redresses the imbalance between the cost of drinking socially in community pubs and consuming alcohol at home. Nik Antona, CAMRA’s national chairman, says: “Many pub goers will be shocked to find out that a third of the price of a pint of beer is going directly to taxes, rates and charges and not to helping to keep local pubs open, alive and thriving. “Pubs are a vital part of the social fabric of our communities. The government should be doing everything it can to support them in order to reduce the levels of pub closures. TAXING TIMES FOR THE LOCAL GREAT Taste, the world’s most coveted food and drink awards, has announced its ‘stars’ of 2019 and a Cheshire brewing family is raising a glass to toast its decision making. Out of nearly 13,000 products sent in from more than 100 different countries, Old Tom – brewed by 180-year-old family brewers Robinsons in Stockport – was awarded the prestigious three- star Great Taste award. The iconic brew left “the judges speechless when they tasted it”. Ginger Tom also scooped a two-star Great Taste award and was highly praised for its “craftmanship”. Old Tom – which celebrates its 120th birthday this year – is recognised both nationally and internationally as one of the top cats of the beer world - and is arguably one of the most famous strong ales in beer history. Over time it has lifted some of the industry’s most prestigious awards including World’s Best Ale, However, this is the first time the 8.5% abv beer has been recognised by Great Taste – the Oscars of the food and drink world. All products are blind tasted over 75 days by 500 of the most demanding palates. The judges then savour, confer and re-taste to decide which products are worthy of a awards. Described as “utterly delicious”, “rounded and balanced” with “a stunning aroma, warm comforting flavours and almost no bitterness”, making it a “great food beer” and a “a beer for all seasons and all reasons” that “could only improve with age”, it’s fair to say that the judges positively purred with delight when they tried Old Tom. Oliver Robinson, Robinsons’ managing director (Beer Division), explains why this strong ale is so special. He says: “Old Tom is engrained into our heritage. It’s been in the family since 1899 – ever since our Head Brewer sketched the old brewery cat whilst waiting for the ale to ferment – and even after all this time, it’s still the same great tasting ale, brewed to the same award-winning recipe. “We’re very proud of how Old Tom tastes and delighted to receive the three-star Great Taste award.” Old Tom has also been nominated for a Golden Fork Award; the highest accolade presented by the Great Taste Awards. Old Tom is available at selected Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booths, Co-op stores across the UK.