British brewing in good health? 5,500 beers now in regular production

According to a press release from Camra.

Almost 100 new breweries have opened across the UK in the past year, with a “staggering” 5,500 beers now in regular production, a new report showed today.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said there were now 840 breweries following a surge in beer production.

Roger Protz, editor of Camra’s Good Beer Guide, said: “The choice and diversity of beer in Britain is staggering and, in reality, if one hardy soul was to attempt the challenge of sampling every beer produced in Britain, including seasonal offerings, you’re going to be looking at an estimated 25-year stretch.

“Such a range is exactly what discerning beer drinkers expect in the current climate, and in spite of economic difficulties and pub closures, Britain’s pioneering brewers are more than rising to the challenge.

“Never will anyone alive today have seen 5,500 regular beers produced on these shores at any one time.”

He added: “Areas such as Yorkshire are recording startling brewery growth, with over six times more brewers in the region than when the first Good Beer Guide was compiled in the 1970s. Not only are there an exploding number of breweries operating in Britain, but also the quality of real ale has never been better.

“Speciality brewers are using the finest raw materials – malt and hops -to make their ales. Britain is a great place to be drinking good beer.”

The Good Beer Guide included a league table of the most prolific brewing counties, topped by Yorkshire, with more than 600 regular beers brewed.

The top 10 is listed as: