A new report published today by CAMRA shows how independent brewers are being excluded from bars across the UK, and sets out the case for Competition and Markets Authority action.
Beer in the UK is the authoritative consumer view on how the UK beer scene actually works — or doesn’t work — for beer drinkers and independent brewers.
The report lays bare the stark state of British brewing, dominated by four international conglomerates with little affinity with our brewing heritage, or what beer drinkers want.
Other headlines include:
- Seven of the top ten selling ‘craft beers’ in the UK are made by just four global brewing conglomerates
- Many of the UK’s favourite ‘continental’ and ‘import’ lagers are brewed in the UK
- Data from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) shows that the demand for independent beer is 280% higher than the share that they have of the pub market.
“Ordinary drinkers are being short-changed when it comes to choice and quality at the bar,” said CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins. “Our report proves how the global players are exploiting the status quo to squeeze out independent brewers, to the detriment of ordinary publicans and beer drinkers.
“The government needs to step up, start taking the issue seriously, and take action that matches up to their statements about supporting pubs and the communities they serve.
“Andy Burnham recently said that ‘People need to be able to look forward to a night out’. The best way he can deliver on that is by ordering a proper market investigation to sort this mess out and deliver a fair deal for publicans and drinkers, and the independent brewers that they want to support.
“If this report makes you as angry as it makes me, that’s good. CAMRA is fighting for changes to the status quo, and I hope you’ll join us and get involved.”
The report was edited by Tim Webb. He said: “The fact that a narrow clique of multinational corporations dominates the UK brewing industry is a national embarrassment. They only make beers that suit their production facilities, ignoring the types that beer lovers want to drink. They do not know how to reverse beer’s downward spiral, make little profit, and brew nothing worth exporting. They cannot grow the UK economy.
“The way that better, independent brewers are excluded from the on-trade beer market is scandalous. Brewing is a business that competition authorities need to investigate, take apart, and reassemble, so the UK can return to playing a leading role in the world of beer.”
Andy Slee, chief executive of the SIBA, said: “As Europe’s largest beer consumer group, CAMRA are right to call for change for a UK brewing industry which is dominated by global beer giants, which restrict access for British independent breweries.
“At the heart of their excellent report is a call for greater consumer choice, transparency around brewery ownership, and lower taxes for small independent breweries — which SIBA wholeheartedly supports.”
He added: “Eighty per cent of beer drinkers want to see independent beer alongside global brands on the bar, yet our indie brewers are locked out of supplying 63% of pubs. This is bad for pub-goers, bad for landlords, and bad for the health and vibrancy of the British pub and beer market.
“SIBA’s own Indie Beer campaign has sought to highlight the lack of transparency of ownership in the UK, making it easier for consumers to find beer from genuine independent brewers, rather than global-owned craft beer brands.
“With an industry facing such pressing issues, it is hugely disappointing we still await the outcome of the government’s review that committed to help independent brewers gain better access to the pub market. Approaching two years on, and indie breweries are still being left in the dark.”
