'Fair Use' Policy - version 4

ECasks remain the property of ECasks at all times.

ECasks are only for use in the wholesale trade, not for direct delivery to the pub by a brewer. Ecasks may only be used for trade with the following networks / wholesalers :-

 East West (Wetherspoons)

Coors guest ales

M & B guest ales (All bar one, Ember, Harvester etc)

Tapsters choice

Punch ’finest cask’

S&N Cellarman’s reserve

Wells & Young guest ales

The fee covers 1 fill.

Empty ECasks may only be collected from depots by ECasks personnel, or 3rd parties who are carrying written authority.

Filling of ECasks without written authorisation from ECasks is not permitted. The advice notes sent with each fresh batch of casks provides such authority.

After receiving a batch of ECasks, the brewer must fill and deliver them ASAP – no ‘hoarding’ allowed.

Labelling of the casks. The customer is permitted to apply brand / batch label(s) to the cask, but agrees not to overdo it - typically 1 on the top face, 1 on the belly and 1 which may be applied by the wholesaler.

Ullage
It is permitted to take back casks full of returned beer, but the brewer must handle the process in a timely manner. Once the cask is back at the brewer's premises, 2 options are available: -
1. Request authorisation to re-fill. The brewer will be invoiced for another fill at the standard rate, and payment is to be within 30 days of invoice.
2. Request pickup by ECasks. This will be done at the earliest opportunity.

Beer Swaps
Not permitted at this time, with ECasks.

Cask quality.
ECasks endeavours to ensure that every cask is 'fit to fill' and is prepared to a high standard. If a brewer wishes to reject a cask or block of casks, then provided prompt notification is received and the reason is made clear, the brewer will be credited for the appropriate fill fee, and the casks collected.

Consequential loss disclaimer.
ECasks makes every reasonable effort to ensure that its casks are fit for use, both in terms of presentation and safety. ECasks Ltd cannot be held liable for any consequential losses arising from cask use, including (but not limited to) ullage beer cost, personal injury claim, transport costs or loss of business.

Notification of destination.
The brewer must notify ECasks of the date and wholesaler / depot to which full casks have been delivered, within 2 days of delivery. It is permitted to split a block between delivery locations, but the brewer must identify which casks went to which on the notification note. The notification notes must be signed and can be sent to ECasks by fax, or e-mail (scanned to Acrobat).

Cancellations.
Occasional cancellations of 'advance bookings' are allowed, but repeated / regular such cancellations contravene this 'fair use' agreement. ECasks reserves the option to ask customers who habitually cancel for a non-refundable deposit of £2 per cask.

Excluded Wholesalers.
Only the above networks / wholesalers are allowed to receive ECasks at present.

Failure to follow the 'fair use' agreement.
Will damage the viability of the ECasks operation, and so must be treated seriously. For modest issues (e.g. - delays > 10 days or late notification of deliveries), phone calls will be followed by a visit to discuss the situation. For more serious problems (e.g.- suspected repeat filling), it is likely that no further business will be done with the brewer.

Credit policy.
Payment for a customer’s first delivery of ECasks will be requested on or before receipt, thereafter normal commercial credit terms (30 days) will apply. Customers who develop a poor payment record will unfortunately either go back onto COD, or be refused further deliveries.