Indie Beer Week 2025: A National celebration of independent beer, pubs and people
A new UK-wide beer week has been launched by independent beer campaigners to promote ‘independent beer, pubs and people’, with a string of events set to take place in community pubs, bars and brewery taprooms.
Building on the hugely successful launch of the Indie Beer campaign at the end of 2024, Indie Beer Week will take place from the 11th to the 20th April (taking in two weekends) and is being officially launched at the “Maltings Fest” Beer Festival in Newton Abbot, Devon, ahead of events taking place all across the UK.
“Indie Beer Week is a National celebration of great independent beer and a chance for our superb pubs and breweries to attract new customers, or give regulars a great new beer experience by running special events, beer festivals, tap takeovers, meet the brewer evenings or tasting experiences which celebrate local beer and producers.
The huge response to the launch of the Indie Beer campaign – which is now supported by over 400 breweries and has been used by tens of thousands of consumers – shows how important supporting local independent beer is to people. The Indie Beer campaign and Indie Beer Week shines a light on genuinely independent breweries and makes it easier for consumers to find out what is or isn’t independent via the IndieBeer.uk website.” Neil Walker, Indie Beer / SIBA.
YouGov data published by SIBA found that 75% of people surveyed believe consumers are being misled when purchasing beer from once independent craft breweries, such as Beavertown, Camden, and Fullers that are now owned by Global beer giants Heineken, Budweiser and Asahi respectively.
People were shown images of five beers from once-independent breweries that have been bought-out by Global beer companies; Beavertown Neck Oil (Heineken), Fullers London Pride (Asahi), Camden Hells (Budweiser), Brixton Reliance Pale Ale (Heineken), and Sharp’s Doombar (Molson Coors). When informed that these breweries were actually owned by Global companies and not independent, 75% of people surveyed said they felt consumers were being misled, with the figure for the beer drinkers surveyed even higher at 81% who believe consumers are being misled.
The Indie Beer campaign and Indie Beer Week have been launched by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), a not-for-profit trade association which campaigns for the fair treatment and promotion of independent brewers and supplier businesses in the UK. The campaign is open to all independent UK breweries and is supported by consumer and industry organisations representing the beer and pub sector, including; Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), British Institute of Innkeepers (Bii), and the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB).
The UK-wide beer week is being run via the IndieBeer.uk website and social media channels. Any independent UK brewery, pub or beer venue can submit an event for Indie Beer Week free of charge.
Brewers across the UK show their support for Indie Beer Week
“We’re proud to be not just a truly independent brewery, but the UK’s only employee owned brewery! We’re excited to have the opportunity to celebrate this with our fellow indie businesses during Indie Beer Week.” Laura Rangeley, Abbeydale Brewery, Sheffield.
“Adnams is proud to support the Indie Beer campaign. We are fiercely independent and have been for over 150 years. This has enabled us to forge our own path and become a distinctive brewer that champions local ingredients.” Sophie Harris, Adnams, Southwold.
“We’ve had incredible feedback from our customers about the Indie Beer Campaign, and it’s something we’re really passionate about being a part of. We’ll continue to do what we can to help spread the word in support of this movement!” Jo Farn, Attic Brew Co., Birmingham
“Indie Beer Week is a fantastic opportunity for beer fans across Scotland to support local organisations. As Scotland’s original indie brewery, we’ve been brewing award-winning beer since 1979, and it’s great to see so many different beers from across the country. Whether you prefer a traditional 80 shilling, a hazy IPA or hand-crafted pilsner, there literally is a beer for every palate.” David McGowan, Broughton Brewery, Scottish Borders
“In such a crowded market it’s really important for us to be able to stand out. So many people wish to support small and independent but it’s not always clear on the bar what that means. The Indie Beer campaign has a clear and instantly recognisable logo that directs consumers towards independently brewed beer, it gives us a huge point of difference on the bar!” Bluestone Brewing Co., Newport, Wales
“At Rooster’s, we’re hugely supportive of the Indie Beer campaign including Indie Beer week. As research shows that a significant percentage of the population wants to consume local, independently produced food and drink products, Indie Beer week is an important initiative to promote the whole campaign.” Ian Fozard, Rooster’s Brewery, North Yorkshire
“Bring on Indie Beer Week! As an independent brewery we are fully supportive of generating knowledge for drinkers so they can choose to support us.” Elderon Batholomew Titsey Brewing, Surrey
“It feels more important than ever to help customers make informed choices about supporting local, independent Breweries through the beers that they buy. The Indie Beer campaign does just that.” Richard Coppack, Billericay Brewery, Essex
“Loose Cannon Brewery are proud to be part of Indie Beer Week. Being able to identify truly independent brewers will aid consumers to make informed decisions when making purchases. Independent businesses all over the country contribute to their local community as well to their local economy. Providing a way for consumers to identify authentic independent brewers will help them to make informed purchases to ensure their money stays in their local area.” Anneli Baxter, Loose Cannon Brewery, Oxfordshire
“As the oldest independently owned brewery in Burton upon Trent, we are delighted to be part of the Indie Beer campaign.” Emma Cole, Burton Bridge Brewery, Burton-on-Trent
“We’re proud to be a part of SIBAs Indie Beer Week, it’s putting a spotlight on independent breweries and we hope it will encourage people to try some of the fantastic indepent craft beer that is available all across the UK.” Neil Thomas, Allendale Brewery, Northumberland
Are you a brewery or beer venue looking to get invovled?
Indie Beer Week is open to all types of venue that serve or sell beer from local independent breweries, attracting new customers to your venues or creating something interesting for your regulars – here are just a few ideas for events you could run for IBW2025.
Register your event via www.indiebeer.uk/add_event.php
