Craft beer boom sees number of breweries top 2,000 for first time in over 80 years

Craft beer boom sees number of breweries top 2,000 for first time in over 80 years

Research by UHY Hacker Young finds popularity of brands such as BrewDog and Innis and Gunn has led to a reverse effect after seven decades of consolidation in the industry.

Brewery numbers in the UK have broken the 2,000 barrier for the first time since the 1930s. 

The milestone follows a 64 per cent increase over the past five years, said accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

The UK has experienced a craft beer "revolution" , with rising sales of artisan beers in pubs and supermarkets, while more microbreweries are opening, the research found.

Craft breweries such as BrewDog and Innis and Gunn have grew in prominence in Scotland over the last few years, with many others securing listing in major retailers.

James Simmonds of UHY Hacker Young, said: "The craft beer boom has reversed around 70 years of consolidation in the brewing industry. There is plenty of growth still to come.

"However, the majors are beginning to make a fightback by acquiring craft brewers and launching their own artisan-style brands.

"The craft brewers can't afford to rest on their laurels - they will need to work hard to get their product into that limited shelf space and bar space."