American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
North Brewing Company in Leeds. Photograph: LCA/North Brewing Co
We like covering craft beer in the United Kingdom for many reasons not the least being that they are doing some exciting things over there. But also, the ‘craft beer movement’ is in a more youthful phase over there and their passion for it is palpable…something we worry is waning in the states.
Another way of looking at this (using music biz analogies) is that British craft brewers are now tearing things up in the clubs, while many American craft breweries have entered the arena rock phase and depending more and more on the opening act to help them fill those arenas.
And as things stand now, craft beer tap rooms in England are at the youthful punk rock stage, but they’re increasingly the place ‘to be’ and where serious beer fans are drinking.
But it is ON in Great British where craft brewers are reviving the tradition of brewery tap rooms.
Unlike in America, where branded tap rooms are almost a given, only a third of the UK’s craft breweries are currently offering them, but the number of new tasting room openings is undeniably accelerating.
Brewery tap rooms are increasingly becoming ‘a thing’ in the United Kingdom, as brewers grow to understand their economic and branding importance especially important in light of the worrisome number of pub closures according to the UK’s Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).
“A high percentage of our members now have tap rooms and they are becoming as important to local communities as pubs are,” says Mike Benner, the chief executive of SIBA. “They have always existed but are making a comeback because today consumers are very much into the idea of independence and local beer.”
According to the Guardian, industry professionals John Gyngell, the managing director of North Brewing, see tap rooms as more essential than ever to Great Britain’s craft breweries.
“The tap room provides a real connection between the customers and where their beer comes from,” says Gyngell. “It also makes sense financially as we are able to sell the beer at retail rather than trade margins. This has been invaluable in supporting our expansion during our first two years of trading.”
Last year, the number of breweries in the United Kingdom exceeded 2,000 for the first time since the 1930s and with that we expect craft beer tasting rooms to grow as valued (and valuable) beer destinations
