Breweries and Distilleries

Aug- 2020 -

13 August

SIBA backs reverse tax rise petition

A petition launched earlier this week, which calls on the government to reverse the proposed tax rise for small independent breweries, has received over 7,000 signatures in its first 24 hours. The petition was launched by Jack Hobday, one of the founders of Anspach and Hobday Brewery in Bermondsey, which…

10 August

The Great British Beer Festival goes virtual

The Great British Beer Festival, which usually takes place this week at Olympia in London, is making its virtual debut from 11-13 September 2020. For the first time ever, visitors to CAMRA’s beer event can purchase a ticket to a weekend of live beer tastings that will run from 2pm…

6 August

CAMRA urges PM to cut the price of a pint to boost pub jobs

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling on the PM to cut tax on pints served in pubs to boost jobs and spending, following a recent survey which has found that 42% of people are visiting the pub less often than they did before lockdown. The survey of nearly…

Jul- 2020 -

31 July

BBPA repeats call for government to cut VAT on beer in pubs

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the UK government to extend its VAT cut on food in pubs to include beer as well. The trade association has made the plea as the European Commission confirmed that within the EU’s VAT Directives, Member States can apply targeted reductions…

27 July

Marston’s and Carlsberg UK’s joint venture delayed

Pub operator Marston’s has announced its merger with brewing company Carlsberg UK has been delayed, pending a review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Marston’s had expected the deal, which is worth a total of £780m, to be completed in the third quarter of this year, but this has…

23 July

BBPA welcomes SBR reforms

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the government’s continued commitment to Small Brewer Relief (SBR) and “improvements to its current structure”. It also welcomed the launch of the business rates review and an “expected” timescale for the Alcohol Duty Review. The trade association highlights that the purpose…

20 July

SIBA NI voices concern on reform of liquor licensing laws

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has voiced its concerns of the proposals to reform liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland. Last week, Northern Ireland’s communities minister, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, announced executive agreement on proposals that will “transform and modernise” the liquor licensing law. The proposals will now be…

17 July

BBPA call for pubs in England to destroy spoilt beer

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has advised publicans to ensure they have submitted applications to destroy their spoilt beer before the end of July, so they “avoid charges from water companies”. The trade association said it had “hoped” water companies would continue to “waive fees and cut bureaucracy…

9 July

New Brewdog drive-through set to open in the UK

Scottish craft brewer Brewdog has revealed plans to open a new ‘Brewdog Drive Thru’ in the UK. The sites will serve as beer collection points, hubs for electric vehicle deliveries as well as hubs for closed loop, zero waste packaging such as growlers, mini-kegs and returnable bottles. The group said…

8 July

BBPA urges Sunak to cut VAT and business rates

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has uged Rishi Sunak to cut VAT, business rates and beer for brewers and pub businesses as they begin their “long and slow road to recovery after lockdown”. The trade association said its sector could, with the right support, help drive the economic…