The UK's small brewing scene is continuing to flourish, with 170 breweries opening in the last 12 months, according to latest figures.
The number of UK breweries has hit 1,285
The Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide 2015, published today, has revealed around a 10% increase in small brewery numbers in the last year, bringing the UK total to 1,285. The new total means Britain now has more breweries per head than any other country in the world.
The vast majority of the new breweries are producing cask-conditioned real ale as their core product, according to CAMRA.
“Real ale is the only success story in a declining beer market,” said Roger Protz, the Good Beer Guide's editor.
He suggested as smaller breweries are able to experiment more easily, they can adapt quickly to trends. “Independent breweries with small and more flexible plants are able to follow trends with ease, allowing them to meet the demands of restless modern drinkers,” Protz added.
He flagged that a “growing number” are ageing beer in oak casks bought from whisky, wine and rum producers.
In the US, brewery numbers are growing too, with latest figures showing the country now has 3,040 producers - the highest amount since the 1870s.
Sectors: Beer & cider
