UK’s beer industry on edge

CONCERNS: UNCERTAINTY OVER IMPACT OF WITHDRAWAL FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

Festival organisers urge the government to mitigate effects on brewers and pubs.

Britain’s beer industry is in limbo, waiting to see what is in the pipeline for brewers, pubs and drinkers after Brexit – but the glass is by no means half-empty.

The country is now set to leave the European Union (EU) on October 31, with the manner of its departure still up in the air.

As the five-day Great British Beer Festival kicked off in London on Tuesday, organisers said that Brexit could harbour many new opportunities.

But they also urged the government to do all it could to mitigate against the chronic disruption predicted in a messy no-deal departure from the bloc.

“Everyone in the industry is concerned about the potential impacts of leaving the EU – and

it’s unclear what they are,” said Tom Stainer, chief executive of festival organisers the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

The 190 000-member consumer organisation works to preserve traditional British beer and pub culture, lobbying politicians to support the sector.

“The brewing industry relies on imported hops and malts, and on exports. Camra is urging the government to mitigate any potential impacts as much as possible,” Stainer said.

“They can remove potential shocks by giving stability: reducing beer tax and sorting out business rates.”

The Society of Independent Brewers, which represents around 830 independent craft breweries, has published an eight-point guide for members to follow in preparing for a no-deal Brexit.

Around a fifth of their members export and are particularly exposed to the possible fallout from Britain’s departure.

The advice includes registering in the EU, finding export agents, changing bottle labels, working out what support EU staff may