Beer Production in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: August 2024
SIC C11.050Revenue
£9.4bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£X.Xbn
Employees
22,405
Businesses
1,529
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Beer Production in the UK industry analysis
UK beer producers’ revenue is projected to fall at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2024-25 to £9.5 billion; however, revenue is expected to inch up by 1.1% in 2024-25. The cost-of-living crisis, triggered by inflationary pressure, has seen consumers tighten their purse strings, eating into beer sales and driving down revenue. However, with inflation finally reaching its target 2% in May 2024, boosting consumer confidence, discretionary spending is on the rise, propelling beer sales. At the same time, the on-trade sector, a key market for beer businesses, has been boosted by large sporting events in the summer, like the 2024 European Football Championship and the Paris Olympics. A continuous increase in patronage from people who are spending more time in the office for drinks after work is also driving revenue and profit growth for breweries.
Trends and Insights
- A summer of sport boosts beer sales. Increased footfall in pubs and event spaces due to the Euros, Wimbledon and Paris Olympics saw sports fans consume more beer, driving a £100 million boost in the UK hospitality sector.
- Lager loses its popularity. Lager is the leading product sold by beer producers, but it’s falling out of favour. Instead, people are increasingly turning to the trendy alternative of craft beers.
- London’s profit opportunities make it an attractive base. However, rent is expensive, which discourages beer producers from setting up shop in the capital.
- Craft breweries become increasingly prevalent. British drinkers are moving away from traditional brand lagers and switching to locally brewed pale ales. There’s a high number of new craft breweries opening to meet the growing demand.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £9.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
A summer of sports drives up sales to the hospitality sector
- The summer of 2024 saw various sports events that lifted beer sales from the hospitality segment. People flooded to the pub to watch England in the European Football Championship, while the Pariss Olympics also drew some consumers into bars.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Stout continues to threaten lager's position as the number-one beer
- Lager is undeniably the most popular beer in the UK, with various brands like Heineken, Peroni and Corona being popular among the British public. However, stout has grown in popularity, particularly among younger generations.
Biggest companies in the Beer Production in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Heineken UK Ltd | 2,002.8 | |
Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Ltd | 1,783.2 | |
AB InBev UK Ltd | 1,423.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Lager, Ale and Stout and porter. Lager is the largest segment of the Beer Production in the UK.
Trends and Insights
British drinkers move away from lager
- Lager is typically light, clear, sparkling and served cold. It’s matured for one to two weeks in cold storage to stabilise the product and develop flavour. The key difference between ale and lager is fermentation. A lager is fermented at a much lower temperature and with different yeast.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Spirit Production in the UK
- Wine Production in the UK
- Cider Production in the UK
- Soft Drink Production in the UK
Complementors
- Pubs & Bars in the UK
International industries
- Global Beer Manufacturing
- Breweries in the US
- Craft Beer Production in the US
- Breweries in Canada
- Beer Manufacturing in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Brewers buy barley, malt, sugar, yeast and other ingredients to process into various beer products, including lager, ale and stout. Beer is packaged in bottles, cans or kegs for sale to wholesalers, retailers, pubs and bars.
What's included in this industry?
LagerAleStout and porterNon-alcoholic beerCompanies
Heineken UK LtdMolson Coors Brewing Company (UK) LtdAB InBev UK LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
HECTOLITREPILSNERALCOHOL BY VOLUME (ABV)Industry Code
SIC 11.05 - Beer Production in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
A summer of sport boosts beer sales. Increased footfall in pubs and event spaces due to the Euros, Wimbledon and Paris Olympics saw sports fans consume more beer, driving a £...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Lager loses its popularity. Lager is the leading product sold by beer producers, but it’s falling out of favour. Instead, people are increasingly turning to the trendy altern...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London’s profit opportunities make it an attractive base. However, rent is expensive, which discourages beer producers from setting up shop in the capital.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Craft breweries become increasingly prevalent. British drinkers are moving away from traditional brand lagers and switching to locally brewed pale ales. There’s a high number...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Molson Coors injects £100 million into UK production. This is aimed at modernising infrastructure, boosting efficiency and helping the company achieve carbon neutrality by 20...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Heineken UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of AB InBev UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Heineken UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for AB InBev UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Real household disposable income levels influence spending on beer. Higher disposable incomes leave people with more money in their pockets to spend on their favourite beers,...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Major summer events in 2024 boost beer producers' profit. The Euros, Wimbledon and Paris Olympics drove high footfall to pubs and bars, while increased consumer confidence pr...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £9.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Beer Production in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 1,529 businesses in the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Beer Production in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Beer Production market in United Kingdom are Heineken UK Ltd, Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Ltd and AB InBev UK Ltd
What does the Beer Production in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Lager and Ale are part of the Beer Production in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Beer Production in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Heineken UK Ltd.
How competitive is the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Beer Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
