New data from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates shows the pace of UK brewery closures has slowed considerably in the first half of 2026. The latest SIBA UK Brewery Tracker recorded a net loss of 16 breweries between January and June, compared with a net decline of 137 across the whole of 2025. That works out to an average of fewer than one net closure a week so far this year, down sharply from nearly three a week during 2025.
Andy Slee, chief executive of SIBA, said the figures pointed to signs of growing stability in the sector, though cautioned that difficulties remain far from over for most brewers. He said businesses that have survived the recent downturn are seeing healthy demand for independent beer, but that profitability continues to be squeezed by limited access to pubs, high taxation and elevated production costs.
The national trend masks considerable regional variation. Four of the nine UK regions tracked by SIBA saw brewery numbers grow on a net basis during the first half of the year: the North West, South East and Wales each added three breweries, while the South West gained one. Scotland recorded the steepest decline, losing nine breweries net, followed by the North East, down eight, the Midlands and Northern Ireland, each down four, and the East of England, down one. Slee said it was encouraging to see growth return to four regions and expressed hope this signals a broader turnaround.
Despite the slower closure rate, SIBA said independent brewers still face major obstacles getting their beer onto pub bars, with brewers unable to access an average of 62% of pubs in their local markets. Slee said consumer demand for independent beer remains strong, but that placing products on tap has become increasingly difficult, with a small number of large brands dominating most bars. SIBA is pushing for an expansion of Draught Relief, which offers a reduced rate of alcohol duty on qualifying draught products sold mainly through pubs, and is calling on the government to publish the findings of its ongoing market access review into improving opportunities for smaller independent brewers to sell into pubs.
The improved figures follow several difficult years for the sector, during which rising energy, labour and raw material costs, combined with lingering pandemic-era debt and pressure on pub margins, pushed many breweries into administration, closure or acquisition. This period of upheaval has also driven greater consolidation within the industry. Earlier this year, the Great British Drinks Co was formed following Paramount Retail Group's acquisition of Keystone Brewing, bringing together brands including Black Sheep, Purity, Fourpure, North, Magic Rock, Brick, Brew By Numbers and Saltaire under a single group. The company later appointed former Buxton Brewery boss Dominic Metcalfe as managing director, saying it would continue investing in its breweries and brands as part of an effort to restore regional British brewing.
