UK breweries now number more than 1,000
There are now more than 1,000 breweries across the UK, the highest number for over 70 years, according to the 40th anniversary edition of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Good Beer Guide 2013.
The guide shows that 158 breweries have opened up in the space of just 12 months, the highest rate of new openings recorded in its 40-year history.
Roger Protz, Good Beer Guide editor, said: "A double-dip recession has done nothing to halt the incredible surge in the number of brewers coming on stream, making the small brewing sector surely one of the most remarkable UK industry success stories of the past decade.
"In fact, the boom in new breweries has, in many cases, made the term ‘micro' obsolete, with some small brewers having become remarkably large, installing new equipment or doubling production to keep up with demand.
"Beer drinkers in the present day are faced with an enormous variety and choice like never seen before on these shores."
By Neil Gerrard
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