Drop in 2024 is biggest recorded as small companies struggle with rising costs, and aggressive tactics from big brewers

The number of independent breweries in Britain declined at its fastest rate in 2024, figures from the “indie beer” trade body suggest.

The UK had 1,715 breweries at the end of 2024, 100 fewer than at the start of the year, according to the data released by Siba, which represents independent brewing companies. The overall fall the previous year was just eight.