Report highlights, but the full report can be assessed via THE SIBA INDEPENDENT BEER REPORT 2025.

Demand for independent beer remains strong with average production in 2024 up 10% on 2023.

80% of independent brewers are producing a stout or porter and 60% are producing a lager with 24% now going on average into keg products, up from 18% last year.

15% of brewers are now producing a non-alcoholic beer, which is an increase from 8%. Twenty-eight percent now produce a gluten free beer in response to around 10% of the UK population following a gluten free diet.

There was a 5.5% fall in the number of breweries last year, with around 100 closing.

29% expect turnover to decrease for the financial year to April 2025 with 68% of brewers having a turnover below £250,000 and 75% under a million pounds.

80% of brewers made no major investment in their business in 2024, with 28% making minor investments in replacing and upgrading equipment.

There has been a fall in exports from 17% to 12% of breweries with only 1% of beer production being sold abroad.

46% of brewers said their main priority is survival compared to 43% in 2024.

96% said that their relationship with their community is important, with 80% saying it is very or extremely important.

30% of employees are female and 8% of brewers. Twenty-five percent of the workforce work in a taproom or shop on the brewery site.

557 jobs are expected to be created in 2025, a fall from 768 in the last survey.

44% of breweries acted to cut their carbon footprint.

On average, small breweries cannot sell to 60% of their local pub market, with 79% saying the main barrier is the lack of access to beer lines.

47% of consumers say they drink beer, 62% of male consumers and only 28% of 18-24 year olds.

The number who never drink alcohol has increased to 21% this year with 36% of 18-24 year olds not drinking alcohol.

77% of beer drinkers think it’s important for pubs to offer a good range of beers from small independent breweries. This increases to 81% of female drinkers.

56% of beer drinkers are more likely to buy a beer if its locally produced, rising to 61% among 18-24 year olds.