Rate of brewery closures slows in first half of 2026 but profitability ‘still a concern’
The rate of brewery closures has slowed in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025 according to the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) UK Brewery Tracker.
For the first six months of 2026, net closures averaged less than one brewery a week compared to nearly three per week in 2025.
Taking into account all brewery openings and closures in the UK the net brewery closure rate from January to June 2026 was a loss of 16, compared to a total loss of -137 breweries in 2025.
Andy Slee, SIBA chief executive, said: “The figures released today are a sign that brewery closure numbers may be beginning to stabilise following a number of particularly tough years – but for most breweries the struggles are not behind them.
"Brewing businesses which have managed to weather the storm are seeing strong demand for independent beer, but profitability is still a concern with lack of access to pubs, high taxation and high production costs hitting brewers.”
Last year saw record closures across the UK as breweries struggled with rising costs and lingering Covid debt.
The latest figures come after SIBA reently called for an increase in Draught Relief – a lower rate of duty for draught beer mainly sold in pubs.
Mr Slee added: “Consumer demand for indie beer remains really strong, but getting beers on the bar is tougher than ever with brewers on average not able to access 62 per cent of the pubs in their local market.”