UK: Number of active breweries down 5.5% in January versus start of 2024

The UK now has 100 fewer breweries than a year ago despite “strong demand for independent beer”, according to the Society of Independent Brewers & Associates, The Grocer reported on February 21.

There were 1,715 active breweries in the UK as of January 2025, down 5.5% from 1,815 at the start of 2024, according to the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker.

The dip is a significant increase on last year, when the figure was just eight lower than at the start of 2023.

“Legacy Covid debt, restricted access to market via pubs, and tight margins for small breweries” were all factors in the rise in brewery closures, said SIBA.

“The consumer appetite for independent beer is high and our indications suggest volumes for independent beer at the end of 2024 were up on 2023,” said SIBA boss Andy Slee. “The issue for small independent breweries is lack of access to market and rising costs, making it incredibly difficult to remain profitable.

“Speaking to many indie brewers who have closed their doors over the last 12 months it is a very similar story – they can’t sell into enough of their local pubs and make enough of a profit to remain viable,” Slee added.

The number of UK brewery closures peaked in Q1 last year, when there was a net closure of 38 breweries. The quarterly closure rates offered “a small glimmer of hope”, with the net number of closures falling to 24 by the fourth quarter of 2024.

All areas of the UK apart from Wales saw a net decline in the number of operating breweries. The number of closures in absolute terms was highest in the south east, but similar in percentage terms to the Midlands.

Brewers to have shuttered their doors in the last 12 months include Wild Card, Cronx and Gritchie Brewing Company.

Alongside brewery closures, there has been widespread consolidation in the industry, with several high-profile craft brewers being bought in distressed circumstances.

Last January, North Brewing was rescued from administration by the owner of Kirkstall Brewery, only for its brand to last month end up in the hands of Keystone Brewing Group.

Keystone has also snapped up both Fourpure and Magic Rock Brewing, with both breweries’ production sites closing and operations shifting to its breweries in Yorkshire and the Midlands.

South London’s Gipsy Hill was also sold in October to Sunrise Alliance Beverages, which owns the Curious Brewing and Wild Beer Co brands. Production has, however, remained in the capital.