Craft Beer Production in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: August 2024
SIC SP0.002Revenue
£1.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
11,456
Businesses
2,066
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Craft Beer Production in the UK industry analysis
UK craft brewers are faring well as economic conditions improve, boosting demand for discretionary products like craft beer. The rising number of beer drinkers looking for more complex IPA and pale ale flavours is boosting the number of craft breweries entering the market. Revenue is slated to grow at a compound annual rate of 0.8% over the five years through 2024-25 to £1.8 billion, including an expected hike of 2.2% in 2024-25.
Trends and Insights
- The summer of 2024 sees strong craft beer sales. Major sports events like the Euros, Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics drew crowds to pubs, bars and stalls, increasing footfall and revenue, driving up sales to the on-trade.
- Craft IPAs see a surge in popularity. UK beer enthusiasts are increasingly seeking out bold and experimental flavours, heightening demand for distinctively earthy craft IPAs.
- The UK's thriving craft beer market is centred in London. The capital's significant economic activity attracts numerous craft breweries, offering them a strong source of local sales.
- Craft beer’s popularity hinges on its quality and flavour. To cement their market presence, craft brewers focus on producing a variety of top-tier beers with intricate tastes.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.8bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Improving economic conditions spur craft beer demand
- Economic conditions are finally starting to bounce back, with inflation easing and interest rates edging downwards.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Easing interest rates offer relief for small craft brewers
- High interest rates have ramped up production costs for many craft brewers, eating into their returns and even driving some into insolvency. However, the Bank of England's cut to the official base rate on 1 August 2024(the first cut since 2020) has brightened the outlook for small craft brewers.
Biggest companies in the Craft Beer Production in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
BrewDog plc | 316.3 | |
Beavertown Brewery Ltd | 90.4 | |
Camden Town Brewery Ltd | 32.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Craft lager, Craft pale ales and Craft IPAs. Craft lager is the largest segment of the Craft Beer Production in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Strong alcohol content hurts demand for craft IPA
- India pale ales (IPAs) originate from England. IPAs have a higher hop ratio and a stronger, earthier flavour than other pale ales.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Spirit Production in the UK
- Wine Production in the UK
- Cider Production in the UK
- Beer Production in the UK
- Soft Drink Production in the UK
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Global Beer Manufacturing
- Craft Beer Production in the US
- Craft Beer Production in Australia
- Herstellung von Bier
- Beer Production in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry produce craft beer. The industry includes both independent brewers and large multinational companies that brew craft beer.
What's included in this industry?
Craft lagerCraft pale alesCraft IPAsCraft double IPAsCompanies
BrewDog plcBeavertown Brewery LtdCamden Town Brewery LtdPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
INDIA PALE ALE (IPA)TEETOTALISMALCOHOL BY VOLUME (ABV)HECTOLITRECRAFT BEERIndustry Code
SIC 11.05 - Craft Beer Production in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The summer of 2024 sees strong craft beer sales. Major sports events like the Euros, Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics drew crowds to pubs, bars and stalls, increasing footfal...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Craft IPAs see a surge in popularity. UK beer enthusiasts are increasingly seeking out bold and experimental flavours, heightening demand for distinctively earthy craft IPAs.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The UK's thriving craft beer market is centred in London. The capital's significant economic activity attracts numerous craft breweries, offering them a strong source of loca...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Craft beer’s popularity hinges on its quality and flavour. To cement their market presence, craft brewers focus on producing a variety of top-tier beers with intricate tastes...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
BrewDog dominates with bold expansion strategies. The company’s aggressive drive towards rapid expansion, coupled with successful diversification into franchises and bars, ha...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of BrewDog plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Beavertown Brewery Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Camden Town Brewery Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for BrewDog plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Beavertown Brewery Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Camden Town Brewery Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Alcohol legislation influences craft beer production. The Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 and the Beer Regulations 1993 outline legal requirements for duty payment, licensin...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Eased inflation and interest rates benefit craft beer producers. With inflation back near its target level and interest rates easing, costs for key inputs like barley have sl...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £1.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 2,066 businesses in the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Craft Beer Production in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Craft Beer Production market in United Kingdom are BrewDog plc, Beavertown Brewery Ltd and Camden Town Brewery Ltd
What does the Craft Beer Production in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Craft lager and Craft pale ales are part of the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Craft Beer Production in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is BrewDog plc.
How competitive is the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Craft Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
