News

Plans by the Treasury to reform the tax incentives in Small Brewers Relief have caused a major row in the brewing industry. By changing the threshold at which higher duty is levied, a number of small brewers say they could be forced out of business. A coalition of bigger brewers say the current threshold is a barrier to growth and needs to be removed. Both SIBA, the voice of small brewers, and CAMRA are opposing the changes

Added: Thursday, July 23rd 2020

Rudi Keyser, founder of Watling Street Brewery in North London, was so inspired by the work of the NHS in combating the coronavirus pandemic that he volunteered to work at the Nightingale Hospital in Docklands and also brewed a special pale Nighting Ale with £1 from every sale going to the Covid-19 appeal.

Added: Saturday, July 18th 2020

Georgina Young, former head brewer with Fuller's in London, has been appointed director of brewing for the St Austell group. She moved to Bath Ales's new Hare Brewery in 2019 but, following the death of Roger Ryman in May, she is now charge of brewing operations in Cornwall as well as Bath.

Added: Thursday, July 16th 2020

The Mawson Arms, Fuller's Grade II-listed brewery tap in Chiswick, West London, is to close. The pub dates from the 18th century and was named after the Mawson family that bought two small breweries near the Thames that later merged into Fuller, Smith & Turner. The brewery was sold to Asahi of Japan in 2019 and Fuller's is now a pub company. It has moved to new offices and says the pub is surplus to requirements.

Added: Wednesday, July 15th 2020

Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey has launched an East Coast IPA to celebrate the re-opening of pubs on 4 July. Seven hops are used in the beer, including Cascade grown in the brewery's own garden. The hop garden covers 8.5 acres and supplies the brewery with 50% of its hops needs. A malt kiln will be added to dry hops within 24 hours of being picked.

Added: Monday, June 29th 2020

Leading Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has submitted plans to Edinburgh council for a new brewery to be based at Heriot-Watt University with its world-famous school of brewing. I&G plans to produce both lager and its Original oak-aged beer at the new site, which will also have facilities for canning and bottling. Pictured: an artist's impression of the new brewery

Added: Thursday, May 21st 2020

Pubs may be shut with no firm date for re-opening but beer lovers can take a visual tour of award-winning hostelries chosen by CAMRA's Pub Design Awards. They include some new builds and some pubs that have been restored to their former glory. The winners include the Farmers' Arms in Devon (pictured)

Added: Tuesday, May 5th 2020

Brewers in East London and Somerset are launching special initiatives to back the hard-press NHS during the coronavirus crisis. Signature Brew, who specialise in collaboration beers with rock bands, has produced Nightingale Pale Ale, with £1 from each can going to the NHS. Pitchfork plans a virtual beer festival with again part of the proceeds going to the health service.

Added: Wednesday, April 29th 2020

Carol Ross, pictured, landlady of the Roscoe Head in Liverpool -- one of the Famous Five pubs to feature in every edition of the Good Beer Guide -- is once again locked in a dispute with her landlord over its future. Last year New River Retail said it would more than double her rent and refused her request for Market Rent Only that would allow her sell beers free of the tie. Her lease is up for renewal and it's unclear whether New River will keep her on

Added: Monday, April 27th 2020

A report by SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, shows that beer sales from small craft brewers are down by 82 per cent since the coronavirus lockdown was brought in. A number of small brewers are considering making staff redundant as they have no received no government support. 65 per cent of SIBA members have suspended brewing and some fear they may never start again. SIBA is calling on the government to defer beer duty until the crisis is over

Added: Friday, April 17th 2020