Beer sales are still below pre-pandemic levels, but local connections offer hope for brewers.

The SIBA Craft Beer Report 2023 shows more people than ever are discovering their local brewery and that support could build more sales.

SIBA chief executive Andy Slee (pictured) said: “Our members' sales footprint has transformed over recent years as brewers look to meet the growing local demand for quality independent craft beer.”

Slee wants to see more people using their local breweries as it is vital for the community’s pubs.

“More than a quarter of independent brewer sales are now direct to consumers, with over 40 per cent now running their own bar or taproom as well as seeing an increased trend in online sales.”

The report also highlights some of the challenges the industry is facing, providing a post-Covid health check for a struggling on-trade, with beer sales via pubs yet to recover to previous levels.

Slee said: “Beer sales are still well short of pre-pandemic levels, thanks to the stuttering recovery of the nation’s pubs and the pressures on people’s spending from the cost of living crisis.”

The report shows pub visits fell sharply in the last 12 months, with 20 per cent of the population not visiting a pub at all – traditionally a critical outlet for local beers and independent breweries.

Access to pubs is also a challenge for small brewers, with global companies continuing to control the nation’s beer taps.

Slee added: “Small independent breweries lead the way in innovation – producing the UK’s most flavoursome, interesting and high-quality beers – yet we only account for six per cent of the UK beer market, which is still dominated by globally-owned, mainstream brands.

“It’s vital that small independent breweries are able to deliver the beers the research clearly shows are in demand, whether that’s via their own taprooms and shops or via the vital pub trade.”