How many times have you thought "what we really need is a good five year plan for beer." Well, likely not that often if you live in North America as we stand alone, we beer consumers left to the wolves without the equivalent of the European Beer Consumers Union. Without the balancing of a consumer's group, things get muddy. I am convinced - keenly - that the whole lack of clarity over beer writing is due to the vagaries of who is exactly playing what position.

There are implications. This lack of a consumer's group may even be leading to a Stockholm syndrome-ish situation where "yes sir yes sir three bags full sir" is the accepted norm in this marketplace and not being a good team player may leads to outlandish outburst. It's quite the thing actually.

No - there is power in a union and a power for good. There is no better statement of that than the EBCU's Manifesto for 2009-2014 (beware the pdf.) I am quite shocked to have realized that I missed the Manifesto's release a few weeks ago but I blame the forces that control the media, a handy trick I admit. Regardless of the reason, it's never too late to appreciate how full it is of sensible plain ideas like supporting community pubs and bars, treating beer like the agricultural product it should be, prevent alcohol abuse, setting sensible taxation levels and doing away with state retail monopolies. All common sense rules aimed at making sure my beer in my glass is good and good value.

Who speaks for that in North America?