Brewery 'barred' from ale body

Cain's said it has no idea why the application was turned down

A Liverpool brewery is claiming it has been deliberately barred from membership of a real ale association.

Cains Brewery believes the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB) brought in the rule - that owners need to have headed a firm for at least 10 years - to keep them out.

They claim that by its decision the IFBB is treating them as "outsiders".

But the IFBB denied Cains is being singled out, but said its bid caused concerns that led to the rule change.

Cains was bought four years ago by Sudarghara and Ajmail Dusanj.

'Common aims'

When they applied to become members of the IFBB, they said they initially met all the stipulations required.

But they say the IFBB then introduced the rule, which effectively bans them from joining until 2010.

Sudarghara Dusanj said: "We just can't get our heads round why the IFBB has refused our application, especially by using a new rule.

"We share common aims and Cains is actually more of a family brewing business than many in the IFBB that have minor family shareholdings.

"Our only conclusion is that we are considered outsiders."

The IFBB explained the rule change was not to bar specific brewers from membership but to ensure members have a "proven track record of family brewing".

Future 'membership'

"The stipulation that members must have been independently family owned for 10 years has therefore been added," it said in a statement.

"It is unfortunate that it took Cains' application to highlight this issue, and the IFBB apologises for any inconveniences."

It said it "looks forward" to receiving a membership application from the brewery in the future, but it is concerned because Cains has "changed ownership several times in recent years".

Another brewery, Woodforde's in Norfolk, has also had its recent IFBB application turned down for that reason.

But Roger Protz, of the Campaign for Real Ale, backed the Dusanj brothers saying they saved Cains from closure and for that reason their application should be welcomed.

"The IFBB must decide whether it is a cosy gentlemen's club or a forward-looking association," he said.