The beer biz never sleeps at American Craft Beer. And here’s just some of what’s been happening in the beer world while you were enjoying the weekend.

208 UK Pubs Close In First Half Of 2025

Eight pubs a week shut their doors permanently across the UK in the first six months of 2025, according to the Drinks Business

This comes as at a time when the beer and  pub sectors are facing significant economic headwinds, including hikes to national insurance, minimum wage and business rates payment (read: taxes).

According to commercial real estate specialists at Ryan, who annualized the UK government’s data  209 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses over the six months to June.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking and there is a direct link between pubs closing for good and the huge jump in costs they have just endured,” said Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association. “Pubs and brewers are important employers, drivers of economic growth, but are also really valuable to local communities across the country and have real social value.

“This is a really sad pattern, McClarkin added, “and unfortunately a lot of these pubs never come back.”

Words to Drink By

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs, American businessman, investor, and inventor

(Courtesy Bruz Beers)

Belgian Brew Fest Returns To Denver

Bruz Beers, a Denver-based  brewery dedicated to brewing traditional as well as innovative Belgian-style beers, is back at it for the eighth year of its famed Belgian Brew Fest.

One of favorite US beer gatherings, the Belgian Brew Fest is returning to Bruz Brothers grounds on October 4 with a beer list from 15 world-class breweries. Tickets ($55 per person) include unlimited pours of dozens of renowned Belgian-style beers from across the globe, including several Denver craft breweries and European leaders.

Here is the complete list of breweries attending

• Bruz Beers, of course
• Brewery Ommegang
• Duvel
• Boulevard Brewing Co.
• Brasserie Chouffe
• Barquentine Brewing
• Purpose Brewing Co.
• River North Brewery
• Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company
• Merchant Du Vin
• Primitive Beer
• Milieu Fermentation
• Wanderment Brewing
• Mad Macks Brewing
• Locavore Beer Works

“This has been a fantastic annual event for Denver. Not only do we get to sample some of the best beers Belgium has to offer, but we get an unbelievable selection of locally made Belgian-inspired beers as well,” says Ryan Evans, Bruz Beers Co-Founder. “The fact that the event sells out every year is a statement to the quality of the experience. We pour our heart and soul into hand-selecting these breweries every year.”

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