c-brand-RTR2H092-Toby Melville

As more craft breweries open in the UK, mega-brewers reach for their wallets

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Last year, 520 breweries opened for business in the UK, up from 336 in 2015.

Published   |  Photo by Reuters/Toby Melville
c-brand-RTR2H092-Toby Melville
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Entrepreneurs are encouraged by growing sales and tax breaks, the popularity of brands like BrewDog, and the increasing number of craft beer millionaires.

Independent brewers are getting rich by selling their brand to conglomerates.

c-brand-RTR2H092-Toby Melville
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In 2015, SABMiller bought London-based Meantime Brewing Company for £120 million ($155 million).

c-mean-RTR31VO1-Stefan Wermuth

Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

c-brand-RTR2H092-Toby Melville
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Threatened by craft breweries—which sell well even at premium prices—beer giants either clone or buy them.

Conglomerates, used to making purchases in the US, are buying small breweries in the UK and more recently in China. AB InBev already acquired nine craft beer brands.

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AB InBev’s craft beer portfolio includes Goose Island, Blue Point, Golden Road, and Devils Backbone, among others.

c-goose-RTR4MCX2-Brendan McDermid

Reuters/Brendan McDermid

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