The Campaign for Real Ale has warned that UK brewing is under threat and added that a high number of independent breweries closing meant there was less consumer choice
There has been a worrying trend for brewery closures, experts have warned.
The Campaign for Real Ale said UK brewing is under threat, due to a “perfect storm” of factors including high business rates and soaring energy bills. As it publishes its Good Beer Guide 2025, it said many that featured in last year’s Guide have now closed.
CAMRA added that a high number of independent breweries closing meant there was less consumer choice. It said: “These breweries are the champions of innovation, quality and choice in the UK beer market, but they struggle to get their beers behind bars due to the stranglehold that global producers and drinks distribution companies have on the market.”
One big loss has been Elland Brewery in West Yorkshire, who closed its doors months after their 1872 Porter was crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2023. Award-winning Nottingham-based Navigation Brewery shut in January, while Wychwood Brewery in Oxfordshire and Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire were both closed by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company in the last year.
In the first quarter of 2024, the UK industry saw a net closure rate of 38 breweries, according to the Society of Independent Brewers. This was a 38% drop from the end of the fourth quarter of 2023.
Ahead of the Budget at the end of this month, CAMRA has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to stick by the Labour manifesto promise on reforming Business Rates in England. The organisation said the current system unfairly penalises pubs and breweries and makes it harder for all bricks-and-mortar businesses to compete with online shopping.
CAMRA has also called for the Chancellor to make sure that the draught duty rate is able to realise its full potential by introducing a 20% difference between the tax paid on pints in pubs compared to supermarket alcohol. CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “This year’s edition of the Good Beer Guide shows a brewing trade that continues to face huge challenges, but one that beer and pub lovers across the UK are still rallying behind.
“CAMRA will be lobbying this new Government to show their support for independent breweries, to try and ensure that the Good Beer Guide 2026 is brimming with new establishments.” The 52nd edition of the Guide is available to buy with two separate covers featuring two of the UK’s favourite locals: Coronation Street’s Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale’s Woolpack. The Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is now on sale.
