For the first time in four years, beer production UK craft breweries has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but it’s not all good news according to one leading trade organization.

Here’s the deal…

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA, like the Brewers Association in the US, but with a British accent) has released its annual rundown as to the state of the independent brewing biz in the United Kingdom, and we think its fair to call, the report a mixed bag.

First the good news, craft beer production is up an encouraging 14%, rising to numbers that haven’t been seen since before Covid-19 shut down the world. Cask beer which is largely absent from the American beer scene, also saw a big increase, with volumes up 10% year-on-year.

The SIBA Independent Beer Report 2024  also noted a “growing consumer pull for independent craft beer, with 55% of beer consumers saying they now drink local craft beer, up from 47% who said they drank it in 2023, placing it level with global lager.”

Yet, in spite of this, you gotta admit, “good news,” worry still persists for independent UK breweries according to the annual report.

“The short-term issue for small independent breweries isn‘t demand; it’s profitability, rising costs and financial pressures such as lingering Covid debt,” SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said. “Far too many breweries are simply trying to survive rather than thrive, so whilst there are many positives signs highlighted in the report, for now it’s cautious optimism.”

According to the Drinks Business, the report outlined that 43% of independent brewers still cite ‘survival’ as their top priority. And even though that sentiment was down was down from the 63%  noted in 2023, it’s still not encouraging to learn.

Another troubling finding, which is also being felt in the US, was that “ just 30% of 18-24-year-olds ever drink beer and 24% of consumers admitting that they “never visited their local pub.”

The report also found that stout, best bitter, and pale ales to be the most popular beer styles in the UK by craft lagers which were up 5% in 2023, with 56% of independent brewers now making them.

And just as in the US,  non-alcoholic beer is on the rise, up 2%, with 8% of UK craft brewers now offering them.

““No and low alcohol beer is massively increasing in popularity,” added Slee. “Thanks to new technologies which make it easier to produce great-tasting low or no alcohol beer, more independent breweries than ever are catering to this.”