Number of UK breweries continues to plummet
The total number of breweries in the UK has continued to drop, with 136 fewer brewers remaining in business compared to last spring. The post Number of UK breweries continues to plummet appeared first on The Drinks Business.
The total number of breweries in the UK has continued to drop, with 136 fewer brewers remaining in business compared to last spring.
The downward trend, which was reflected in figures released by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) Brewery Tracker this week, showed that at the end of March 2025, the total number of active breweries in the UK stood at 1641.
At the beginning of the year, db described how the UK had 100 fewer breweries than it did a year prior with each quarter of 2024 showing a negative net closure rate, despite strong demand for independent beer.
Speaking about the plight brewers across Britain face, SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said: “Times are incredibly tough for independent breweries, and whilst the price of a pint in pubs may be rising for drinkers the price brewers are paid for their beer actually dropped over the last twelve months. What is desperately needed is a lower tax burden for pubs, lower direct taxes for brewers, and greater access for independent breweries to sell to pubs in their area – many of whom are currently controlled by global beer supply.”
Slee did however point out that “the latest brewery tracker figures do take into account some brewing businesses which have been winding down during the last 12 months” and noted that the trade association had taken steps to make sure it “further improved” its “tracking processes” to make sure that the findings were as accurate as possible. But, he warned: “Clearly things are not moving in the direction the industry would have hoped.”
Last month, db explained how the UK’s independent breweries were now facing “heavy headwinds” with nearly half making “survival” their main goal.
The research, which identified how global brewers were really taking up space on the bar and dominating lines, highlighted how on average 60% of pubs within 40 miles of an independent brewery were inaccessible to them, blocking small brewery sales and reducing consumer choice. The same report from SIBA at the time also showed small independent brewers were earning less for the beer they sell, despite prices rising in pubs.
Taking a deeper dive into the findings, the regional brewery closure figures have revealed a very mixed picture across the UK, with some regions seeing greater closure rates than others. Looking at the Moving Annual Total (MAT) figures, the South East had the biggest loss, with a -38 net closure rate, the Midlands has lost -33 breweries overall in the last 12 months, followed by the East which lost -20, and it’s a similar picture in the North East with a -19 net closure rate.
According to the findings, Scotland had the next largest drop, with a -11 net closure rate, with Northern Ireland (-6), the South West (-6), and the North West (-5) posting more moderate closure rates. But there were green shoots from the Welsh brewers with Wales being the one region of the UK still in growth, with a small +2 increase over the last 12 months.
To see the full regional and national brewery numbers, find more information on them here.
The downward trend, which was reflected in figures released by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) Brewery Tracker this week, showed that at the end of March 2025, the total number of active breweries in the UK stood at 1641.
At the beginning of the year, db described how the UK had 100 fewer breweries than it did a year prior with each quarter of 2024 showing a negative net closure rate, despite strong demand for independent beer.
Speaking about the plight brewers across Britain face, SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said: “Times are incredibly tough for independent breweries, and whilst the price of a pint in pubs may be rising for drinkers the price brewers are paid for their beer actually dropped over the last twelve months. What is desperately needed is a lower tax burden for pubs, lower direct taxes for brewers, and greater access for independent breweries to sell to pubs in their area – many of whom are currently controlled by global beer supply.”
Slee did however point out that “the latest brewery tracker figures do take into account some brewing businesses which have been winding down during the last 12 months” and noted that the trade association had taken steps to make sure it “further improved” its “tracking processes” to make sure that the findings were as accurate as possible. But, he warned: “Clearly things are not moving in the direction the industry would have hoped.”
Last month, db explained how the UK’s independent breweries were now facing “heavy headwinds” with nearly half making “survival” their main goal.
The research, which identified how global brewers were really taking up space on the bar and dominating lines, highlighted how on average 60% of pubs within 40 miles of an independent brewery were inaccessible to them, blocking small brewery sales and reducing consumer choice. The same report from SIBA at the time also showed small independent brewers were earning less for the beer they sell, despite prices rising in pubs.
Taking a deeper dive into the findings, the regional brewery closure figures have revealed a very mixed picture across the UK, with some regions seeing greater closure rates than others. Looking at the Moving Annual Total (MAT) figures, the South East had the biggest loss, with a -38 net closure rate, the Midlands has lost -33 breweries overall in the last 12 months, followed by the East which lost -20, and it’s a similar picture in the North East with a -19 net closure rate.
According to the findings, Scotland had the next largest drop, with a -11 net closure rate, with Northern Ireland (-6), the South West (-6), and the North West (-5) posting more moderate closure rates. But there were green shoots from the Welsh brewers with Wales being the one region of the UK still in growth, with a small +2 increase over the last 12 months.
To see the full regional and national brewery numbers, find more information on them here. 
