Craft Breweries Soar In The UK

breweries, Craft Breweries Soar In The UK

Mirroring a pattern first seen in the United States, the number of breweries in the United Kingdom is soaring, and that growth is largely being shouldered by craft brewers!

According to the accountancy group, UHY Hacker Young, this is the highest number of breweries online in the country since the 1930’s, a figure derived from the amount of UK breweries currently registered for its beer duty (read taxes).

Even more interesting is the fact that the UK-based group credits the emergence of England’s craft breweries (which has grown almost 65% in the last 5 years) with largely being responsible for the majority of 2106’s growth.

“According to our research, the total number of breweries in the UK has increased 8% in the last year alone, from 1,558 in 2014 to 1,692 in 2015*, as the popularity of craft beer continues to soar. Consumers are more willing to pay premium prices for a luxury product such as craft beer than for a more mainstream brand.”

But as with any kind of achievement, there are consequences and considerations.

UHY Hacker Young goes on to predict that craft beer’s growing success and profitability in the UK will make them increasingly attractive acquisition targets, and we have already seen this beginning.

 In 2015 the Camden Town Brewery sold to AB InBev for £85m. Meantime which sold to SAB Miller is now owned by Asahi.breweries, Craft Breweries Soar In The UK

And just as in the states, Big Beer companies are trying to co-opt Great Britain’s craft beer energy by introducing their own faux craft beer brands as Guinness did when they introduced Hop 13 two years ago.

How this all plays out for the United Kingdom’s craft beer industry remains to be seen, but we suggest Big Beer will continue to buy into Great Britain’s vibrant craft scene as they have in the US.

And as we’ve seen it the states, Big Beer’s strategy to diffuse craft beer’s integrity and confuse the consumer can be brutally effective…and ironically it’s always the ‘best times’ that can lead to concern.

 

Banner photo credit: Bateaux London

Clash cover art credit: Epic Records

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