Independent breweries 'key to fabric of Sheffield communities', report finds

The Society of Independent Brewers, or Siba, said breweries were creating jobs, supporting the pub trade through taprooms and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

The 'Brewers in the Community' report was compiled based on feedback from about 500 UK brewers.

It found independent 'craft' breweries gave jobs to local people. Two thirds of staff lived within a 5 mile radius of the brewery and one in 10 were aged between 16 and 24, according to the survey.

Many brewers offered apprenticeship schemes.

The survey found taprooms - from something as simple as a few benches in the brewery to elaborate tasting rooms that rival any modern craft beer bar - were filling voids left by the closure of pubs.

Over 30 per cent of breweries that own a taproom, shop or visitor centre said they accounted for more than a quarter of their trade, according to the report.

Siba said taprooms were more important than ever when set against the fact that 10,000 pubs, many in rural and suburban areas, had closed in the last 15 years nationwide.

And the report showed that 84 per cent of those who responded had supported at least one charity, with many brewers choosing more than one.

Sheffield's Abbeydale Brewery was highlighted in the report for its annual charity beer. From every pint sold, 10p goes to the chosen good cause, with more than £1,000 raised for Light Sheffield through the Seven Hills Women's Institute in 2016.

True North Brew Co, which last year teamed up with Bakewell's Thornbridge for a 'half pint marathon', was also mentioned after raising £7,582 for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity helipad appeal.

Siba managing director Mike Benner said: “Britain’s small brewers are now a common feature of communities across Britain and are just as much a part of the local social and economic fabric of the communities they serve as pubs - creating jobs, supporting local charities and providing a place for the community to come together in the brewery tap.”

Last year Sheffield was named the world's best beer city in a report published as part of Sheffield’s Year of Making, and brewers this week agreed with Siba's findings.

Nick Law, brewery manager at Sheffield Brewery Company and Emmanuales, said: "The craft beer sector in Sheffield is key to the local economy.

"Not only do pubs, bottle shops and breweries benefit from the income generated by sales - other independent business, tradespeople and charities thrive as a result.

"Whether it’s local farmers collecting a brewer’s spent grains to feed cattle, graphic designers and artists working on branding, casual bar staff pulling pints in a tap room, or opportunities for apprentices, first-time employees or the disadvantaged, the brewing industry in Sheffield supports and props up a diverse range of businesses."

Nick said his firm supported the Sheffield Children's Hospital Trust and the social enterprise Yes2Ventures.

He added: "If you look at ancient history, civilisations populated around barley fields for the sole reason of making beer and other food produce, fuelling their economies.

"Brewing really is a key factor in society; today more than ever."