Figures just released by the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker show closure rates increased dramatically during 2025 compared to previous years, with a 37 per cent spike compared to 2024.
The UK had just 1,578 individual breweries 1 January 2026, compared to 1,715 at the start of 2025, 1,815 in 2024 and 2023’s 1,828 when the tracker started.
The tracker is compiled by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) and considers all known openings and closures to give an accurate representation of the current number of breweries in the UK. The tracker shows a net closure rate of almost three per week (-2.6) in 2025.
SIBA chief executive Andy Slee (pictured) said: “Britain is extremely lucky to have such a broad range of passionate, independent breweries brewing beer across the UK, but if we don’t act soon to reverse closure rates then we could be facing a survival crisis for British brewing.
“The issue here is not one of demand – there is huge demand for beer from local independent breweries – the issue is the tax burden on small breweries, increased merger activity creating consolidation in the market, and restricted access to pubs for small breweries.”
Research published in the SIBA Independent Beer Report 2025 showed independent brewers’ production returning to pre-Covid levels and independently brewed cask beer in double-digit growth, yet market pressures and an increase in mergers and acquisitions mean that overall the UK now has 137 less breweries than 12 months ago.
Slee added: “The proposed changes to pub business rates announced in the Autumn Budget threatened to derail the industry further, seeing huge increases for the majority of pubs, where around 80 per cent of the beer produced by small independent breweries is sold.
“We also believe there is a need for globally owned and independent beers to coexist on bars across the UK. We await the outcome of the Department of Business and Trades investigation into how this could happen and look forward to working with all parties to better meet drinker demand.
“Britain has a proud brewing tradition and is home to some of the best beers in the world, we have a wonderful story to tell. The time for sentiment is over, Britain’s independent brewers – like the rest of hospitality – need decisive action from government.”
