Breweries are continuing to boom, says CAMRA's Good Beer Guide

16th September 2010, 7:24am

There are now a staggering 767 breweries operating in Britain, according to CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2011 which has launched today (16 September).

The Good Beer Guide also reports that 78 new breweries have opened in the past year.

Good Beer Guide editor Roger Protz said: "The real ale revolution goes on in spite of all the problems facing the brewing industry such as the often anti-competitive behaviour of the large pub companies, the heavy and continuing rise in tax on beer, grossly unfair competition from supermarkets, and the smoking ban in pubs. Yet, against all the odds, craft breweries continue to sprout like mushrooms at dawn."
 
"The main reason is a simple one: craft brewers are responding to genuine consumer demand. Beer in pubs may be expensive compared to cheap supermarkets but drinkers are prepared to pay a bit extra for beer with taste and quality. 

"Real ale hits the spot in every way: it has flavour and is made from pure, natural ingredients that are grown mainly here in Britain. More and more people want to think local and drink local and real ale meets that demand."

Some of the breweries reporting success include the Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham, the Thornbridge Brewery in the Derbyshire Peak District, and the Dark Star in Sussex.

Protz added: "The breweries section of the Guide is full of similar success stories of small craft breweries that are booming and growing as a result of beer lovers' demand.
 
"The British are notoriously bad at celebrating the things we do well but let's raise a glass to the success of the good old British pint!"

Related Articles:

• 16 Sep 2010 - Locals RUN their locals, CAMRA Good Beer Guide reveals
• 16 Sep 2010 - CAMRA announces regional pubs of the year
• 06 Aug 2010 - CAMRA launches new edition of Cellarmanship
• 05 Aug 2010 - CAMRA relaunches its Heritage Pubs website
• 27 Jul 2010 - CAMRA launches Edinburgh Pub Walks booklet
• 19 May 2010 - CAMRA's National Club of the Year crowned
• 13 May 2010 - 'New Government needs minister for pubs', says CAMRA

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