Beer boom goes flat as breweries call last orders
Summary
The number of beer breweries in the UK is shrinking, with many closing in recent years. Smaller breweries face challenges like big companies controlling pubs and supermarkets, making it hard to sell their products. Despite these struggles, some traditional and craft beers are still popular, and breweries are finding new ways to stay open.Key Facts
- In the UK, 320 beer businesses closed last year, while only 170 opened, causing a net loss of 150 breweries.
- As of April 2026, there are 2,320 beer brewing companies in the UK, down from a peak of 2,594 in 2022.
- Big brewery companies control draught beer lines in pubs, limiting market access for smaller breweries.
- Smaller breweries are also blocked from supermarket sales due to price competition.
- Beer consumption in the UK has dropped to about half of what it was in the early 1990s.
- Some breweries, like Oxfordshire’s Hook Norton, have diversified by offering visitor centers and taprooms to attract customers.
- Demand for independent and craft beers remains relatively strong despite the overall decline in the beer market.
- The Society of Independent Brewers is calling for lower taxes on draught beer in pubs to help breweries survive.
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