David Maddox: Still on booze

With images of Carlisle bracing itself for hordes of thirsty Scots pouring over the border in search of cheap booze and threats of the Scottish Government being dragged through the courts one set of supporters of the proposed measures of tackling Scotland's alcohol problems have largely gone unnoticed.
Step forward the real ale drinkers (and I count myself in this crowd) - their time has finally come.
For years people who appreciate good quality drink have been struggling to keep the market alive against the waves of low quality lager washing through the country. Monty Python used to take the micky out of Watney's Red Barrell, but its modern equivalent - usually fizzy flavourless continental lager - can be found in most drinking establishments.
And on off-sales when you realise that four cans of Tesco Value lager costs 88p at least half the cost of a single bottle of real ale, you begin to understand what they are up against.
But the minimum pricing policy will hit these low priced products and, for the purveyors of good quality, will make the market fairer. Little wonmder Camra (The Campaign for Real Ale) was among the first supporters.
Today BrewDog, a Glasgow enterprise that produces hip and trendy real ale (if that's not an oxymoron) with beers like Punk IPA (pictured above), added its voice.
In a press release BrewDog's Managing Director James Watt said: "We feel the more someone understands and appreciates a drink the less likely they are to abuse it. The fact that these Scottish Government plans would level the pricing playing field somewhat between macro and micro brewed beer might just get some more people understanding what beer is all about.
"As a company BrewDog is all about educating the consumer about responsible consumption and changing people's perceptions about beer.
"We want to show the consumer that beer does not just have to be a cold, fizzy thing, watery drink which you drink 10 bottles of merely to get drunk. We want to educate the drinker about the wonderful depth of flavours and experiences available in artisanal craft brewed products."