The dramatic situation of English breweries • Food and Wine Italy

the United Kingdom, the number of independent breweries continues to decline, with a significant acceleration during 2025. released by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) show a net increase a causa di closures of 37% compared to the previous year, signaling a highly critical phase for the brewing sector.

What’s avvenimento to independent breweries a causa di the UK

As of 1 January 2026, 1,578 breweries were active, compared to the 1,715 recorded at the beginning of 2025. The patronato confirms a negative trend already underway a causa di recent times: a causa di 2024 there were 1,815, while a causa di 2023, the first year of systematic monitoring by SIBA, there were 1,828. operational terms, the 2025 budget equates to an average of nearly three net closures per analogia week. A real wound that continues to bleed a causa di the UK brewing sector.

According to SIBA chief Andy Slee, the problem is not with demand. Consumption of craft and local beer remains strong, and independent brewing is gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels. The cask beer segment is particularly growing, recording double-digit increases. However, these positive dynamics do not translate into greater stability for companies.

The main critical issues identified concern the tax burden acceso small producers, the increase a causa di mergers and acquisitions which favor market consolidation, and the difficulties a causa di accessing sales channels, a causa di particular pubs. The latter represent the main commercial outlet for independent beer, with around 80% of sales concentrated a causa di the on-trade channel.

Further complicating the situation are the changes to rates for commercial activities, announced a causa di the 2025 autumn budget. According to SIBA, the tax adjustment risks resulting a causa di a significant increase a causa di costs for the majority of pubs, with indirect effects acceso the entire brewery supply chain.

Slee underlines that, even a causa di the event of a revision of the new tariffs, the sector would simply return to the previous situation, without structurally addressing the fiscal imbalance between traditional activities and online operators. An issue which, according to the association, penalizes independent producers and hospitality-related businesses a causa di particular.

At the same time, a Department for Business and Trade investigation is underway into how globally produced beers and independent beers co-exist a causa di British venues. The declared objective is to encourage a more balanced market, capable of guaranteeing plurality of supply and greater visibility for small producers.