The Craft Beer Giants Fall

If you're thinking "those are small operations — a properly scaled craft brewery would be different," think again.

Wild Beer Co in Somerset was selling beer in twenty-two countries at its peak. Founded in 2012, it was one of the UK's most respected craft breweries. It entered administration in 2022, citing Covid, lost exports, spiralling production costs, and rising interest rates. Nearly 2,000 crowdfunding investors from a 2017 raise lost their equity.

Brew By Numbers in Bermondsey moved into a new 6,000 square foot warehouse in Greenwich in late 2021, full of optimism. By 2023 they were filing intent to appoint administrators. They blamed the pandemic, post-Brexit export complexity, rising material costs, and beer duty changes. The £530,000 raised via crowdfunding in 2020 was wiped out. The brand was acquired and production moved to Yorkshire. The London brewery — the thing the founders built — is gone.

Gipsy Hill Brewing in south London was sold to avoid administration in October 2024, despite 19% growth in sales of their flagship IPA. Co-founder Charlie Shaw said "no amount of growth or improved efficiency" could offset escalating overheads. Their London rent had risen 430% from when they started twelve years earlier. Growing sales, growing reputation, and still not enough.

Fourpure Brewing in Bermondsey — sold to Lion (a Kirin subsidiary) in 2018, then sold again when Lion exited the UK market. Applied for a CVA in March 2024. Closed their Bermondsey brewery in September 2024. Entered administration in October 2024. A brewery that had been backed by a global drinks conglomerate still couldn't make it work.