An Honest look at the UK craft beer market

CRAFT beer started changing in the Noughties. Before then, let’s be honest, it was seen as the preserve of bearded CAMRA members in double denim. But, you know what? It turns out they were right to worship at the altar of small, exclusive, traditional-method breweries.The flavours, the tastes… joy in a glass. Now craft beer is everywhere. Microbreweries have sprung up all over the place.The lockdown, for better or worse, has given even the smallest operations an enormous potential market thanks, in part, to people like CraigWillmott.Ten years ago, he co-founded online craft beer retailer HonestBrew. But the current worry among customers and breweries is the cost of living crisis.And, let’s face it, craft beers aren’t always cheap (because making things on a small scale costs money).

But the genial New Zealander believes there is still potential for the craft beer industry to grow. “Trying something new is at the heart of what makes craft beer special, and innovation continues to thrive,” he says. “Craft beer is quite often seen as a luxury. However, the ethos of craft – and more specifically, alcohol in general – should be quality over quantity. Regular drinkers of craft beer are unlikely to switch back to macrobrewed beer.” HonestBrew has built a healthy fanbase with its unique membership scheme – a tenner a month towards beer, which unlocks a money-off discount, free postage at a lower spend, prizes, and exclusive offers.The site now carries more than 300 beers from about 100 breweries in 14 countries.

Before starting HonestBrew in 2012, Craig was pursuing a Masters Degree at LSE while managing craft beer bars around London.A chance meeting with a fellowAntipodean who shared a love for good beer led to the HonestBrew..

“One thing led to another and the next thing we know, we’re voted by the Society of Independent Brewers as the UK’s number one online craft beer retailer.” Read on for Craig’s tips.