A new report published by CAMRA proves how independent brewers are being shut out of pubs across the UK, as it calls for the Competition and Markets Authority to take action.
Beer in the UK is the authoritative consumer view on how the UK beer scene actually works, or doesn’t, for drinkers and independent brewers. British brewing is dominated by four international conglomerates with little affinity with our brewing heritage, or what beer drinkers want.
- Seven of the top 10 selling “craft beers” in the UK are made by just four global brewing conglomerates. These include Beavertown, Camden Town, Goose Island and Meantime.
- Many of the UK’s favourite “Continental” and “imported” lagers are in fact brewed in the UK. These include Stella Artois, Kronenbourg, San Miguel, Madri, Cobra, Kingfisher, Red Stripe, Sol and Estrella Damm.
- Data from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) shows demand for independent beer is 280% higher than its share of the pub market.
CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “Ordinary drinkers are being short changed when it comes to choice and quality at the bar. 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 its statements about supporting pubs and the communities they serve.
“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.”
Report editor Tim Webb said: “The fact that a narrow clique of multi-national 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 re-assemble, so the UK can return to playing a leading role in the world of beer.”
SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said: “As Europe’s largest beer consumer group, CAMRA is right to call for change for a UK brewing industry which is dominated by global beer giants, restricting access for British independent breweries.
“At the heart of its excellent report is a call for greater consumer choice, transparency around brewery ownership, and lower taxes for small independent breweries – which SIBA wholeheartedly supports.
“SIBA’s own Indie Beer campaign has sought to highlight the lack of transparency of ownership in the UK. We are making it easier for consumers to find beer from genuine independent brewers, rather than global-owned craft beer brands.”
- Since 1979 annual beer production in the UK has fallen from 12 billion to 6 billion pints per year, with annual per capita beer consumption falling from 122 to 63 litres, or from 18 to 9.2 pints per month.
- Yet UK alcohol consumption remains the same today as it was in 1980, when beer made up 65-70% of the market. Beer has lost out as those wanting reliably flavourful drinks migrated to wine.
- Until 1990, UK brewing was 96% British-owned. Today over 80% of UK beer is produced by foreign firms. Meeting consumer demand for more interesting beers is left to smaller independent breweries, who are routinely excluded from pubs by international brewers who distort the beer market by controlling distribution and sales.
- Meanwhile, UK beer lovers must pay far more for beer than those in most other European countries, due to beer taxes that are the highest of any major beer producing nation in Europe. The UK beer market must be freed up for smaller independent producers to have fair access to it, and incentives must be found to develop distinctive British beers for export. This requires a market investigation from the Competition and Markets Authority.