CONSUMERS may think their favourite craft beer is owned by an independent brewer, but this may not always be the case.
The style of beer has risen in popularity over recent years, with many believing it tastes better because it is produced in a smaller area and not churned out to the masses.
Local brewers also churn out a range of unusual flavours, helping non-traditional beer drinkers expand their palette.
The UK craft beer market was worth £1.7billion in 2023, with a 4.5% increase from the previous year.Â
By the end of this year, the market is expected to be worth £1.8billion.
Over the past few years, a number of the world’s biggest beer makers have been snapping up independent brands as they look to get a slice of the action.
Now, a recent YouGov study found 75% of consumers feel duped into believing their craft beer is from a local company when it is owned by a corporation.
Andy Slee, chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates, (SIBA) said: “People want to support smaller independent businesses.
“There is more choice than ever when buying beer, but it can be really hard to know what’s the real deal.”
For concerned customers, SIBA has launched the Indie Beer Checker to make it simple for people to see whether the beer they’re buying is brewed by a genuine independent brewer.
It can be found at https://indiebeer.uk/.
You can also look for the Indie Beer logo when buying beer, which can only be used by genuine independents.
Beavertown
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This craft brewery was founded in 2011 by Logan Plant, the son of Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant.
The London-based brewery became a fan favourite amongst trendy city folk, thanks to its zingy flavours.
But in 2018 Heineken carved out a minority stake in the business, before completely buying the brand in a multi-million-pound sweep.
Its most famous drinks include Neck Oil, a popular tipple with youngsters.
It can now be bought at supermarkets such as Tesco for £6.
Camden
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Camden Brewery was once the poster child for independent brewing, founded in 2006 by the owner of a pub in the London borough.
But just a decade on Budweiser owner AB InBev bought the brand for £85million.
That has not stalled its success, selling over seven million pints of its famous Camden Hells craft larger in 2021.
Fullers
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The pub giant has a range of craft ales which are loved by customers.
But the maker of Frontier and London Pride sold its beer business to Ashai for £250m five years ago.
At the time, the business said it wanted to exit the beer business to focus.
Brooklyn Stonewall Inn IPAÂ
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This American IPA is a fan favourite among boozers, and was first made in New York back in 2017.
It was named after the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the city which later became synonymous with the LGBT rights movement following a series of riots which took place there in the 1960s.
Its manufacturer Brooklyn Brewery was bought by Carlsberg in 2020 for around £100m.
The beer can be found today in certain pubs and supermarkets such as Waitrose.
Doom Bar
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The ale is loved by craft fans across the UK.
It was first brewed all the way back in 1995, by Sharps Brewery in Cornwall.
At the time, the Canadian brewing giant paid £20million for the business.
The ale, remains popular with punters making sales of nearly £92million in 2023.
How to tell if a craft drink is from an indepedent brewery
The Indie Beer Checker has been launched to it simple for people to see whether the beer they’re buying is brewed by a genuine independent brewer.
It can be found at https://indiebeer.uk/.
To use it you simply type the brewery you bought it from into the checker and then it reveals whether or not its independent
