Despite a high number of reported brewery closures and tough trading conditions, the total number of breweries in the UK has risen in the second quarter of 2023 according to figures released today from the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker.
Covering the period from the start of April 2023 to the end of June 2023, the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker shows the net brewery number across the UK grew slightly (by two) over that three-month period.
“Seeing the net brewery number rise across the UK is not only a sign that confidence in the sector remains, but that the demand for quality locally made beer continues to rise. However there has been a significant number of brewery closures and change of ownership, with some consolidation and buyouts alongside new businesses opening. So whilst modest growth is ahead of expectations and common perception, it’s not quite the overly positive picture that the headline figures paint.” Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive.
The new opening figures highlight the consumer demand for craft beer and the growth in popularity of brewery taprooms, with recent consumer polling showing eight out of ten people believe a well-run independent brewery has a positive effect on its local community* – and that community-spirit is a sentiment shared by brewers, with 98% of SIBA brewers saying they consider their local community to be important to them.
“We are still seeing more and more people discovering the importance of supporting their local businesses, and in particular their local brewery taproom, which in many areas are a hugely important community asset. All of this said, trading remains challenging with input cost inflation running ahead of prices and the other well documented issues facing the broader hospitality trade.” Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive added.
The South East saw the largest +3 increase in brewery numbers, with the Midlands and the East of England also in growth with a +2 rise in both regions, and Wales had a modest +1 rise overall. The North West, West of England, and South West all ended Q2 with no net change in brewery numbers, whereas Scotland had the largest decrease with -3, followed by Northern Ireland on -2 and the North East on -1.
The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker is compiled by full-time professional staff employed by the Society of Independent Brewers and is cross-referenced by SIBA Regional Directors in each of the eight SIBA Regions across the UK. The organisation considers a number of factors and data-sources alongside its own data analysis and extensive research, including, but not limited to, HMRC registrations.
SIBA UK BREWERY TRACKER Q2, 2023
Covering period 01/04/23 – 31/06/2023
UK: 1826 (+2)
Scotland: 142 (-3)
Northern Ireland: 27 (-2)
North East: 262 (-1)
North West: 209 (-)
East: 182 (+2)
Midlands: 286 (+2)
West of England: 71 (-)
Wales: 108 (+1)
South East: 334 (+3)
South West: 205 (-)
The above shows the new total number and net change compared to 31.3.23
The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker can be viewed via www.siba.co.uk/
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Notes to Editors
Supporting images and graphics: Click here
For further information contact the SIBA Press Office via press@siba.co.uk
*YouGov Consumer polling commissioned by SIBA for the SIBA Craft Beer Report 2023
SIBA UK Brewery Tracker: Brewery Criteria
- Must be an active business that makes beer and has its own brewing equipment.
- A brewing business that is producing beer at multiple sites counts individually towards regional and national totals.
- A brewery that is producing beer, even whilst being fully or partially owned by another brewery, is counted individually towards regional and national totals.
How data is compiled
The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker is compiled internally by full-time professional staff employed by the Society of Independent Brewers and is cross-referenced by SIBA Regional Directors in each of the eight SIBA Regions across the UK. The organisation considers a number of factors and data-sources alongside its own data analysis and extensive research, including, but not limited to, HMRC registrations and CAMRA Good Beer Guide listings.
About SIBA
The Society of Independent Brewers is a not for profit trade association which primarily represents independent craft breweries and supplier businesses in the UK. They recently expanded their membership remit to include international breweries, UK beer retailers and amateur homebrewers.
As well as the newly launched SIBA UK Brewery Tracker the organisation also produce the SIBA Craft Beer Report – a comprehensive analysis of the UK craft beer market which take into account consumer polling, industry data and an in-depth analysis of independent breweries using data from their annual members survey.
For all inquiries, please contact us at: press@siba.co.uk
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