2023: A year of change

SIBA’S Chair Richard Naisby looks ahead to the rest of 2023 with some cautious optimism…

The beer world looks very different at the start of 2023 compared to where we were a year ago. The challenges of inflation, a European land war and consequent energy squeeze seem harsh blows for the industry to bear as we struggle to recover from the ravages inflicted by Covid lockdowns. In 2022, we lost some famous brewery names – and some lesser-known personal favourites.

This year will see some major changes in the brewing world and there are sound reasons for cautious optimism. Wholesale energy prices are now lower than they have been since the start of 2022. Pressure is being applied to ensure that those savings feed through to the end users – the brewers and the pubs which buy our beer. SIBA's political lobbying – led by Barry Watts – has achieved some notable successes recently, not least the recognition that as high energy users, brewers are worthy of enhanced support. Sadly, pubs missed out.

We have a new SIBA Chief Executive, Andy Slee [Read more from Andy Slee in the CEO’s update on page 7 and our Big Interview on pages 36 to 43]. By now, members of all regions should have had a chance to meet him in person. Andy is a big man with a big job to do. He has started with a bang, travelling around the regions to meet as many brewers as possible. His enthusiasm for the sector is great to see and his contacts at all levels of the industry will be invaluable as we fight for the interests of all our members. At the East region meeting we trialled a new format of sponsor supported talks on high interest subjects. This format will become the standard for future meetings and Eddie Gadd's warmly received presentation on CO2 capture will be repeated at BeerX in March.

As I write, BeerX preparations are far advanced. We are lucky to have the Liverpool Exhibition Centre (March 15/16th) once more – before it hosts the pageant that is Eurovision '23 – and I hope to see many members there.

I will now be able to use the new SIBA Brewery Tracker [See SIBA News for more on this] to tick off all the brewers I meet in Liverpool. One of the frustrations we have had in the past in making our case, politically and financially, has been the variability and unreliability of the database giving the numbers of active breweries in the UK. Estimates have previously varied between 1,400 and 3,500. A lot of work has gone into compiling this new, definitive database – which will be updated quarterly. I’d like to see everyone accept it as the last word on the subject.

The summer will see the biggest shake-up in alcohol duties in a generation. All brewers should familiarise themselves with the changes to come. SIBA is at the heart of the push for the lower draught duty percentage to increase to 20%. Healthy pubs are vital for the on-going success of our members and this change will help to level the playing field and remove some of the unfair advantages enjoyed by the supermarket chains.

SIBA is also active across many other political spheres, whether it is campaigning on the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland or co-ordinating policy responses to the actions of the big pub groups and global brewers, SIBA is there for the independent brewer. Access to market is vital for all our members.

Sometimes we will be shouting loudly about issues, sometimes the more effective route is to whisper quietly in the right ear. There is a very good team in Ripon working on our members’ behalf, specialising in all aspects of the industry. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, your regional directors and I will strive to represent the voice of British independent brewing and I hope to meet as many brewers as possible at BeerX in Liverpool.

Cheers!

Richard Naisby Chairman SIBA