CEO’s Update James Calder on SIBA’s current strategy

We’ve got your back!

First off, it was great to see all your faces at BeerX this year. It felt like a seminal event in the brewing industry. I’m very proud of the team who delivered it and I want to thank all of you for coming and thank all SIBA’s supplier associates who make the event happen. Big thank you to the cellar crew (whom I spent a lot of time with) who make sure the beer is right, too.

I write this column sat at a railway engineer’s workbench in the splendid surroundings of Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Museum in Chesterfield. It’s got sunshine, classic steam locomotives and most importantly the best beer the Midlands region has to offer. It’s truly one of the best hotdesks I’ve had the pleasure of sitting at. Helping set up for a SIBA competition is a feeling many of you will know. And the SIBA team are in full swing this season. It’s the feeling of palpable quiet but diligent work before the storm. It’s fortunate that the storm happens to be hundreds of people enjoying each other’s company and enjoying independent beer. In one way we as an industry must collectively feel as though we’ve just emerged from one storm and are entering directly into another. Recent brewery closures have been alarming, and I fear that many more will shut their doors over the coming months. Inflation will become the epidemic of the next few years and, as the Governor of the Bank of England admitted a few weeks ago, we don’t have a vaccine for this one. We’re seeing huge input inflation in everything you need – people, malt, hops, packaging and energy. It’s never been a more prudent time to get on top of your costs. And whilst SIBA can’t do very much about the price of a tank of diesel – we can help your business in other ways. SIBA’s costs calculating tool is something all of you should be using and adapting to ensure that you are fully abreast of your costs. Redesigning your labels need not be a difficulty or a cost with SIBA’s labelling guide. If you’ve got legal or HR trouble, our solicitor partners Napthens can help – and offer an hour of free advice. If you’re a SIBA member you get £100 off SALSA accreditation.

SIBA was the body that secured the drop in the Drinkaware licence fee from a ridiculous £1,500 to £50. We’re also the only body lobbying on your behalf to ensure 20 litre containers can benefit from the new draught beer duty discount, and pushing for it to go beyond 5% and be brought forward. We’re lobbying on your behalf to ensure the myriad of DRS schemes work for us and limit their damage. As our Chairman Roy mentions in his column [see page 8], we’re also working on a new campaign with consumers and in trade to try to reverse the fortunes of cask, so licensees have the confidence to stock it and sell it and a new set of consumers are asking for it at the bar. Watch this space. Over the summer we’re going to be relaunching “Delivering for Brewers” which will deliver new benefits all the time. We’re working hard on this now to make sure it can benefit your business – so keep your eyes peeled. I hope you have a fantastic summer, sell lots of beer and keep your businesses going. Feel safe in the knowledge that, wherever we can, SIBA has your back and is Delivering for Brewers.

We’re also the only body lobbying on your behalf to ensure 20 litre containers can benefit from the new draught beer duty discount, and pushing for it to go beyond 5% and be brought forward.

James Calder

Chief Executive

SIBA