A boom in real ale has been credited for more than 70 new breweries opening in the UK in the past year – despite the pub trade suffering its toughest-ever conditions.
Seventy-one new breweries opened in the UK in the past year, taking the total to 711. The vast majority, 670, are micro-breweries, with Yorkshire and Norfolk hot-spots for new openings.
Many of those specialise in real ale, as drinkers turn away from mass-produced lager brands in favour of speciality beers.
Roger Protz, editor of the Good Beer Guide, said: “For the first time since the 19th century, Britain is the top brewing country in the world. It has over 700 breweries and offers tremendous choice.
“While most countries offer mainly mainstream lagers, Britain has milds, bitters, strong ales, porters, stouts, barley wines, old ales, Christmas ales, spring beers, golden ales and harvest ales, to name just a few, while some craft brewers are even producing lagers in the true Continental style.
“There are now more than twice as many breweries in Britain than in 1971. Craft brewers are growing sales at a time of economic downturn and falling demand for big brands.”
The news comes despite pubs closing at a rate of 50 a week.