The Belgians are well-known for taking their beer very seriously, but taking brewery managers hostage is a bold manoeuver even for them.

Although the kidnap crisis has now been resolved, the threat remains of redundancies among Anheuser-Busch InBev's 1300 British staff. The company plans to cut its European workforce by around 10 per cent.

Congratulations to the Dodford Inn, named winter pub of 2009/10 by CAMRA's Redditch and Bromsgrove branch. The official presentation was made on Sunday afternoon.

Founded 150 years ago, the Inn was threatened with closure last year and eyed up for housing development, but thankfully bucked the national trend and reopened under new management.

The branch's next meeting will be at Bromgrove Golf Club on 23 February. For full details, contact Doug Robinson on 07842 135 354.

A couple of months back, I highlighted the continuing scandal of tied pubs and the Office of Fair Trading's astonishing decision not to investigate a system its own research indicates costs the average tied publican £20,000 per year.

On 22 December, the Campaign for Real Ale launched a legal challenge to the OFT's intransigence via the Competition Appeals Tribunal. However, it can only succeed with your backing.

CAMRA's chief executive, Mike Benner, announced this afternoon: "'We are today calling for pub goers to support CAMRA's campaign to secure a fair deal for consumers by donating to our campaign to ensure the beer tie works in a fair and competitive manner.

"'CAMRA has found that a lack of competition in the UK pub market is costing consumers £2.5 billion a year, as well as harming the pub-going experience through reduced quality and choice."

The lack of effective competition was a key reason why seven pubs are closing for good every day, he added, causing "irreparable damage" to local communities.

"'Regrettably, the OFT did not examine competition in local pub markets, which is why we have taken the decision to appeal. The OFT's assertion that consumers benefit from a good deal of competition and choice in the pub sector is in our view not supported by the available evidence.

"'CAMRA has pledged funds to the appeal process and is urging consumers to contribute to ensure our campaign stands the best chance of success.

"This is an historic opportunity for pub-goers to stand up to unfair conditions in the UK pub market and to assist the Office of Fair Trading in understanding the scale of harm to consumers."

You can learn more about CAMRA's appeal here.

The Campaign for Real Ale has launched an electronic alternative to carrying a copy of its bestselling pub guide in your back pocket.

Information compiled for the 2010 edition can now be downloaded straight into your mobile phone. The service costs £10 per year, but you can enjoy a free seven-day trial (full details here).

The first edition of real ale journalist Jeff Evans' newsletter Inside Beer was launched yesterday afternoon, just days after Jeff was presented with his second gold tankard by the British Guild of Beer Writers.

Topics this time around include recommended winter ales and Marks & Spencers' new beer range. You can read it online here.

Congratulations to the Woodman's Rest in Union Road, Shirley, which has just been named most improved pub of 2009 by Solihull CAMRA.

The official presentation takes place on Wednesday evening at 9pm.

Save Our Boozers is a new reality tv show following the efforts of five rural communities as they strive to preserve their local pub.

The first of the five-part series premieres on the new cable channel Blighty this coming Tuesday at 8pm.

Presenter Jay Smith, himself an experienced pub owner, said: "These boozers are the backbone of British society. Lose them and we lose our identity. I want this series to really inspire people to get on board with my passion - to bring back the great British boozer."

He hoped the programme would provide viewers with both an insight and an inspiration.

"By showing viewers how these five communities get their own pub up and running, I hope others will be inspires to do the same. Of course, there is the risk that it could all go horribly wrong, in which case it may end up being an example of how not to do it!

"But if we can get communities working together to get their British pubs back, it will be good for our communities, good for tourism and good for the great British boozer."

More information can be found here.

The Campaign for Real Ale is holding its annual members' weekend at the Villa Marina, Loch Promenade, Isle of Man, on 16-18 April 2010. The event will also include a Viking- and Celtic-themed beer festival.

Further details are available here.

A controversial beer with a staggering strength of 18.2% ABV can no longer be sold by British bars, clubs and shops following a ruling by the brewing industry's own watchdog, the Portman Group.

The ruling came in the wake of complaints that Fraserburgh-based BrewDog was encouraging excessive drinking with its current packaging.

Labels on the Tokyo* brand - which sells at £10 per bottle - suggest people must, from time to time, enjoy excessive behaviour, adding: "This beer is for those times."

Portman Group chief executive David Poley told the BBC: "We don't regulate the alcohol content of drinks, but we do control how they are promoted. It's obviously unwise for any company to urge consumers to drink to excess.

"We won't allow any irresponsible marketing, whether it's for a big brand or a niche product. That's why we're taking action to restrict future sales of this beer."

BrewDog's co-founder, Martin Dickie, was unrepentant: "The Portman Group's decision to ban Tokyo* highlights the misdirection of their organisation.

"Like all of our specialist beers, it was only available online at our website and in five specialist beer retailers throughout the UK.

"They should perhaps concentrate their efforts on targeting the brands selling 24 cans of lager for £7 - where literal excess is contributing to Scotland's problem with alcohol."

The brewery followed up Tokyo* with a low alcohol beer called Nanny State, but made headlines last week after it launched an even stronger beer, Tactical Nuclear Penguin, with an ABV of 32%.

The Campaign for Real Ale today called on Chancellor Alastair Darling to end the special tax treatment of spirits and to support the British brewing industry.

Following last year's Pre-Budget Report, taxation on beer, wine and cider was increased by 8%, whilst spirits were let off lightly with a rise of only 4%. Brewers are likely to come under further pressure when VAT is increased in the new year.

CAMRA wants duty on spirits increased and the cash used to reduce the general duty on beers and allow the zero-rating of lower strength ales, 2.8% abv or below.

CAMRA's chief executive, Mike Benner, said "UK beer duty has been increased by 52% since the current Government came to power in 1997, whilst spirit duty has increased by only 19%.

"The 4% duty concession given to the spirits lobby following last year's Pre-Budget Report should be withdrawn to fund a fair deal for beer and pubs. In the longer term, the difference in the duty rate for spirits and lower alcohol categories should be restored to the levels that Labour inherited when they came to power in 1997.

Beer was the mainstay product of community pubs, he added, and licensees could not survive afford further price increases.

"Community pubs provide a safe and social environment for people to relax with a drink and play a major role in community life. Community pubs should not be made to suffer as a result of unfair rises in beer duty, while spirits get off lightly.

"Any reductions in beer duty must be fully passed on by pub-owning companies to their tied publicans and therefore the consumer. Government should make it clear that it will stamp down hard on profiteering, through new competition legislation if necessary.

"There is a common misconception in the UK that spirits are synonymous with whisky. In fact, whisky accounts for only about 10% of spirit sales in the UK; with alcopops and white spirits (vodka, white rum and gin) making up the lion's share of sales in pubs."