SIBA New Brewery face off, No more Newbies FFS!!!

[Druncan]

Seems like the Mid to big Microbreweries are *issed off with the number of new brewery minnows nibbling at their feet. Also the number of pubs going out of business = more fish'es in a shrinking pond.

Interesting to hear the HBF opinion?:drunk:


Please find below the press statement issued by SIBA in response to the launch of a review of Small Breweries’ Relief (SBR) by consultancy Europe Economics, calling for it to include a full analysis of access to market for small brewers to ensure the review provides an accurate picture of the challenges facing Britain’s small brewing businesses.

Full Detail:

SIBA: Review of Small Breweries’ Relief must consider access to market for small brewers

SIBA has responded to the launch of a review of Small Breweries’ Relief (SBR) by consultancy Europe Economics by calling for it to include a full analysis of access to market for small brewers to ensure the review provides an accurate picture of the challenges facing Britain’s small brewing businesses. The review is to be managed and funded by the British Beer and Pub Association and the Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition which has around 60 members.

Mike Benner, Managing Director of SIBA, said, “We have raised our serious concerns that as presently planned the review will only superficially analyse the restrictions to access which face Britain’s small brewing businesses in a market which is largely foreclosed to direct access. This is an essential factor to consider in reviewing the effectiveness of SBR. Small Breweries’ Relief was intended from the outset to offset both the higher production costs faced by small breweries and the difficulties of gaining access to market they face. This is as valid today as it was in 2002 when the Relief was introduced, especially given the closure of around 10,000 pubs and a significant switch to the off-trade during this period.”

SIBA is carrying out its own review of market access for small brewing businesses as part of its recently announced ‘Four Pillars’* plan to ensure the craft-brewing sector can continue to deliver the beers today’s discerning beer drinkers demand, notwithstanding the intense competition in today’s beer market.

Buster Grant, Chairman of SIBA, said, “SIBA would support improvements to and enhancements of the scheme to promote growth, exports and normal business activity. Whilst there are currently many views on what a ‘refreshed’ SBR might look like, we believe an Industry consensus is possible and, as the Trade Association representing the vast majority of the UK’s Independent Brewers, we are looking into all aspects of the market. We hope an industry consensus on the future of SBR will prevail.”

Mike Benner added, “We look forward to feeding our views into the review, which we hope will help to establish a consensus right across the industry, including beer drinkers, on the future of SBR through its enhancement, without reducing the vital relief it provides for the UK’s many small brewing businesses.”

*SIBA’s four pillars were announced at its AGM in March of part of the Society’s 2020 vision. It will focus activities for its professional small brewing business members on access to market, taxation, its Assured British Independent Craft Brewer campaign and promoting product excellence.

If you got through that without a topup yer doing well,,,, :lol:

Views?

 

[geetee]

The number of pubs closing may be slowing down but it is still happening however this is somehow offset by the fact that most microbreweries now are opening taprooms associated with their breweries. There rare a few new micropubs also opened by brewers which also stock other brewers beers so SIBA need to remember that supporting small brewers by means of relief is also making new venues available for the brewers market.

I think that we have not seen the end of the microbrewers boom yet and certainly the micropub with brewery attached is up and coming, long may iyt last

 

[Druncan]

@Geetee, You are spot on. We are a micropub/restaurant. It makes sound economic sense for us. Would love to see more on the mainland.

The hard trick is getting through the masses of red tape; Licensing, Planning, Building control, Env Health, Food Safety, Trading Standards, Fire risk assessment. Keeping away from 'consultants' wanting to do quality systems. Bit daft when they do not understand the issues of running and offshore Island business and then there was the business insurance..

The last hoop we had to get through; Product Liability insurance in particular. Lots of time convincing the underwriters I have the competence not to poison folks. Although 11 years of catering and awards helped. Still cost us a fooking packet.

The actual Brewing process surprisingly seems the most straight forward and infinitely more interesting:grin:

 

[simon12]

Having run a pilot brewery for a year I would say the main problem by far is the lack of free of tie pubs this may vary in different areas but everything around here (Redhill Surrey) is a brewery enterprise inns or punch taverns and though you can sell via enterprise and punch they will pay far less than the market rate (though they charge the pubs way above) which isn't viable below about a 20BBL brewery. The red tape/paperwork is a nightmare but not really a problem and insurance was just over £200 a year.

 

[geetee]

@Geetee, You are spot on. We are a micropub/restaurant. It makes sound economic sense for us. Would love to see more on the mainland.

The hard trick is getting through the masses of red tape; Licensing, Planning, Building control, Env Health, Food Safety, Trading Standards, Fire risk assessment. Keeping away from 'consultants' wanting to do quality systems. Bit daft when they do not understand the issues of running and offshore Island business and then there was the business insurance..

The last hoop we had to get through; Product Liability insurance in particular. Lots of time convincing the underwriters I have the competence not to poison folks. Although 11 years of catering and awards helped. Still cost us a fooking packet.

The actual Brewing process surprisingly seems the most straight forward and infinitely more interesting:grin:

I did the 10 week Brewlab course and you are right the brewing does seem to be the easy bit. there si a big focus now on due diligence and HACCP ( Hazard assessment Critical Control Points) to stop you poisoning the public.

Do you have a HACCP plan in place, it also helps you to understand your process and can be a fairly standard document that is expected by Environmental agencies and particularly if you sell to supermarkets/shops they like to see quality and evidence of training.

 

[Druncan]

Hi Simon, we have combined Restaurant/Guesthouse and Brewery + vehicles with NFU. Expensive, but worth it when we lost our restaurant roof in storm Henry,,, Scary times, so we just pay for it.
Strange up here in Scotland seems like lots of small family pubs struggling selling Tennents to reducing clientele. Although Tennents themselves are arm's length involved with the fantastic Drygate brewery/centre in Glasgow. That is an awesome new initiative.

Geetee, yeah I have a long history with QA systems and HACCP. Lots of food enforcement, QA assessor for BSI, designed and set up a UKAS accredited mass laboratory. It was a pain to re-learn stuff, but got EHO's to see if I had missed owt. Amended and been operational since last June. Now it even fits with our environmental waste reduction system.

I now want to do a micro/pathogen course maybe Brewlab in the winter?

 

[geetee]

Hi Simon, we have combined Restaurant/Guesthouse and Brewery + vehicles with NFU. Expensive, but worth it when we lost our restaurant roof in storm Henry,,, Scary times, so we just pay for it.
Strange up here in Scotland seems like lots of small family pubs struggling selling Tennents to reducing clientele. Although Tennents themselves are arm's length involved with the fantastic Drygate brewery/centre in Glasgow. That is an awesome new initiative.

Geetee, yeah I have a long history with QA systems and HACCP. Lots of food enforcement, QA assessor for BSI, designed and set up a UKAS accredited mass laboratory. It was a pain to re-learn stuff, but got EHO's to see if I had missed owt. Amended and been operational since last June. Now it even fits with our environmental waste reduction system.

I now want to do a micro/pathogen course maybe Brewlab in the winter?

Brewlab very professional, it does help if you have a science background I was a lab manager and instrument manager for 20 years in pharma industry.

Good luck with your venture , would hope to get up there sometime but my wandering days are limited due to family responsibilities!