Sarath Obeysekera’s Post

From 18 onwards I was always a big fan of CamRa (the Campaign for Real Ale) and their festivals and all the independent breweries in the UK. (Okay, in all honesty, probably since I was 15 or 16 - as we used to sneak out from school, especially over Christmas, to grab a few pints at lunch.) So I also love finding and sampling the various microbreweries here - and Singapore has some amazing ones - Reddot Brewhouse Pte Ltd, LeVeL33 Pte Ltd, Little Island Brewing Co, Brewerkz etc. The availability and diversity of locally brewed beers - with nuances and characters associated with the region, is a glorious thing that should be supported and nourished. And that is especially true as we seek to gain prominence and greater autonomy on the world food stage. Thus, reading of this closure is a bit sad - even if the beverages at Archipelago were never, admittedly, amongst my favourites! The oft-cited Tiger, of course, has put our Lion City (wrong cat, I know) on the world map - but it seems, to me, a bit like the old Budweiser versus Budvar problem in some ways: Commercial success derives more commonly from business finesse than from gustatory prowess. (Side note: in my experience, Tiger tastes better when bought and consumed from, like, Tesco’s in the UK, or when quaffed at the brewery here than it does when purchased from a local Sg supermarket or bar… Why might that be? Is it the “back of trucks” transport in the heat?) Anyway, lamentations are one thing but, as we found with the iconic magazine stall in Holland Village, bewailing after the fact can’t really help anyone - only buying the products can. So, off to those local breweries we go!

Wow! People don't like craft beer anymore? A sad day for us beer drinkers. "'An end of an era' with Singapore's Archipelago Brewery set to close The brewery will close at the end of June due to "declining craft beer market realities and high operational costs", Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore told CNA." Singapore Blonde and Belgian Witt were two of my favourite beers from Archipelago so this is a shock. I think that in recent years their distribution and marketing has not been up to scratch as I struggled to find these beers in Sentosa for example but the beers themselves are fantastic. It's a sad state of affairs if people prefer the overly chemically enhanced Tiger to Singapore Blonde. I think APB blaming people's tastes is wrong if you look at data from the largest craft beer market, the US: "In the US, retail dollar sales of craft increased 3%, to $28.9 billion, and now account for 24.7% of the $117 billion U.S. beer market (previously $115 billion). The primary reasons for the larger dollar sales increase were price increases and slightly stronger onsite sales growth versus distribution." APB couldn't do the same thing here What do you think? If you’re an entrepreneur and would like help finding new clients our Ultimate LinkedIn marketing and personal branding services can do this for you, details here : https://lnkd.in/dqWRi6EZ https://lnkd.in/gpw5PB9y

Independent Brewing Sector Sees Strong Sales And Demand But Financial Pressures And Market Access Restricting Growth Figures released today show the total number of breweries in the UK has continued to decline despite the sector reporting strong sales, with a -29 net closure rate across the UK and no region in growth for the second consecutive quarter. The figures released today by the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker show the total number of active UK breweries now stands at 1748, a -29 net drop since the end of Q1 2024. The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker takes into account all brewery openings and closures to give an accurate picture of the number of active brewing businesses. The figures make for sobering reading, with small independent breweries struggling against rising costs and legacy Covid debt despite strong sales in the sector; production volumes now having returned to pre-covid levels and cask beer production being in double digit growth*. “Independent brewers are reporting good sales growth and strong consumer demand, yet breweries continue to close. For most breweries the challenge is financial pressures from rising costs and market access, as well as lingering Covid debt – something SIBA has strongly lobbied Government for help on.” Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive. With the price of a pint at an all-time high independent brewers cannot pass significant price rises in raw materials, energy and production on to their customers, making access to market and help with financial pressures the most pressing factors in helping brewery numbers stabilise. “Where independent beers are stocked they sell well. They just need more opportunity to do so.” Andy Slee added. Examining the figures regionally it is clear the Midlands were by far the worst hit in the second quarter 2024, with a Net closure rate of -11, followed by the East and South West who each saw a -4 net closure rate. Scotland, the North East and the South West faired only slightly better, each posting a -3 net closure rate. The East and North West experienced a more moderate -1 net change, with Northern Ireland and Wales both maintaining their brewery numbers during the second quarter, with no change to their net figure. Read More:

By any meaningful measure independent breweries are a force for good in the UK; they contribute to local economy, create jobs and in some cases revitalise industrial or once-neglected areas of towns and cities.    Between them independent brewers employ 10,000 people, run over 2,000 pubs, bars and taprooms and pay millions in taxes here in the UK. They’re in-demand too, with beer production volumes for independent brewers having now returned to pre-covid levels with an increase in consumers looking to buy local and support independent businesses. For many drinkers as long as the beer tastes good, that’s all that matters and that’s fine by us. But many others want to support the local brewery at the heart of their community.    This can sometimes be more confusing than it seems. YouGov research commissioned by SIBA found that of 2,000 people surveyed, more people thought Beavertown Neck Oil – which is owned by Heineken – was independent than genuinely independent brands who were also included. People were then shown images of five beers from once-independent breweries that have been bought-out by Global beer companies When informed that these breweries were actually owned by Global companies and not independent, 75% of people surveyed said they felt consumers were being misled. The Indie Beer campaign has been launched to help those people for whom local provenance is important to find a great-tasting beer from an independent brewery. As well as an “Indie Beer” trade mark on bottles, cans and beer taps in the pub, drinkers can also visit www.indiebeer.uk in seconds to find out if the brewery you’re buying is truly independent, or owned by a Global beer giant. No-one at SIBA will judge anyone on the beer they choose but for those who want to support a local brewery business “Indie Beer” is here to help. 

From craft breweries to AI-driven beer quality, the 2024 Global Beer and Brewery Industry Report by Benchmark International highlights exciting trends shaping the industry. Expect big growth and innovative products in the coming years! Read more to stay ahead. #CraftBeer #BreweryTrends #MarketInsights #industryreport

From craft breweries to AI-driven beer quality, the 2024 Global Beer and Brewery Industry Report by Benchmark International highlights exciting trends shaping the industry. Expect big growth and innovative products in the coming years! Read more to stay ahead. #CraftBeer #BreweryTrends #MarketInsights #industryreport

It's great to see news like this come through The Drinks Business Jessica Mason - it bears out what I’ve been experiencing in export over the past four years. The appetite for quality British brands with a ‘hook’ has never been stronger! If you are interested in taking your first step in export or want to review your existing strategy then check out Cheers Global Drinks Ltd and give me a shout - we'll book in a call #drinksexport #beerexport #ciderexport #ukexport

Ethiopian Breweries Cutthroat Rivalries/Competition marvel In Ethiopia's fiercely competitive brewery industry, a troubling trend has emerged: major players resorting to coercive tactics to maintain their dominance. One such strategy involves strong-arming beer outlets into kicking out competitors' products, driven by a palpable fear of losing market share. Let's unpack this unsettling phenomenon. Reports abound of brewery behemoths pressuring beer outlets – from bars and restaurants to liquor stores – to exclusively stock their products while ousting those of competitors. This heavy-handed approach not only stifles consumer choice but also stifles the growth & diversity of the industry. The motivations behind such tactics are clear: fear of losing market share and revenue to rival brands. By monopolizing shelf space and visibility, dominant players seek to maintain their stranglehold on the market, effectively shutting out smaller competitors and limiting consumer options. Furthermore, these coercive practices undermine the principles of fair competition and free market dynamics. Instead of allowing consumers to make informed choices based on quality, taste, and preference, brewery giants seek to dictate their decisions through intimidation and coercion. Moreover, the ripple effects of this behavior extend beyond the confines of the brewery industry. Beer outlets, faced with pressure to comply with the demands of dominant players, find themselves caught in a precarious position, torn between profitability and principles. In the face of such challenges, it is imperative for regulators to step in and uphold the principles of fair competition. Measures to prevent anti-competitive behavior, such as price-fixing and monopolistic practices, are essential to fostering a level playing field for all players in the industry. Finally, the brewing rivalries unfolding in Ethiopia underscore the transformative power of competition. While big companies may resort to small and dirty tactics out of fear, the true winners are those who embrace innovation, integrity, and fair play. As the industry continues to evolve, may the spirit of healthy competition prevail, ushering in a new era of growth and prosperity for all stakeholders. Cheers 🍻 (All ideas & points here are my personal views, not attached or related to other parties)