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Economic Perspectives on Craft Beer pp 373–396Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Beer on! The Evolution of Micro- and Craft Brewing in the UK

Abstract

This chapter explores and examines the evolution of micro-breweries and craft brewing in the UK. Using data gathered from different sources, the author describes and discusses the evolution of the British brewing industry in the past two centuries, focusing on the impressive increase in the number of small breweries occurred in the UK since the start of 2000s. In particular, the author considers the impact of new breweries on expanding the range and variety of beers available for customers, and the role of these businesses within local economies and communities. Findings of the analysis are elaborated with regard to possible future directions for the British brewing industry, addressing opportunities and challenges for micro- and small craft breweries operating in the country.

Keywords

  • Micro-breweries
  • Craft Beers
  • Local Economic Development
  • United Kingdom

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Fig. 14.1

Source BBPA 2015

Fig. 14.2

Note *Estimated for SIBA surveyed members in 2015, accounting for 60% of total UK breweries. Source SIBA (2016)

Fig. 14.3

Notes *Counts of responses provided in bars, percentages on top. Estimated for SIBA surveyed members in 2015, accounting for 60% of total UK breweries. Source SIBA (2016)

Fig. 14.4

Notes *Estimated for SIBA surveyed members in 2015, accounting for 60% of total UK breweries. yo = years old. Source SIBA (2016)

Fig. 14.5

Note *Estimated for SIBA surveyed members in 2015, accounting for 60% of total UK breweries. Source SIBA (2016)

Notes

  1. 1.

    ABV stands for alcohol by volume. Cask-conditioned ale is defined as unfiltered and unpasteurized beer which needs conditioning (including secondary fermentation) when delivered to the pub cellar; the beer is served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. In the UK, cask-conditioned ale is also referred to as “real ale.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Ignazio Cabras

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  1. Ignazio Cabras
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Correspondence to Ignazio Cabras .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Milano-Bicocca and Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

    Dr. Christian Garavaglia

  2. Centre for European Policy Studies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Prof. Johan Swinnen

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Cabras, I. (2018). Beer on! The Evolution of Micro- and Craft Brewing in the UK. In: Garavaglia, C., Swinnen, J. (eds) Economic Perspectives on Craft Beer. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58235-1_14

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