Number of UK breweries has grown almost 200% since Millennium

The figures are included in the British Beer & Pub Association’s new statistical handbook, which also includes figures showing alcohol consumption fell again last year.

The figures, which are based on tax revenues and have been slightly revised since they were originally released in April, show consumption per capita down 1.7% year on year in 2013. Since 2004 the amount of alcohol being consumed per head has fallen 18%.

However, the handbook reports some positive news in the rate of brewery openings. The figures show there are now 1,442 breweries in the UK, up 190 on 2012 and 188% more than in 2000.

In its section on alcohol-related harm the handbook details a fall in underage drinking. It shows that in England in 2013, 39% of 11-15 year olds had ever drunk alcohol, compared to 43% in 2012 and 61% in 2001. Among 11-15s who had drunk alcohol in the last week, average weekly consumption was 8.2 units, compared to 12.5 units in 2012 and 9.8 units in 2001.

However, data on taxation shows Britain’s beer taxes are three times higher than France, five times higher than Belgium, and 13 times higher than Germany.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “It’s great to see trends in alcohol harms coming down, showing that investment by the industry and partnership with Government, through targeted measures, is having a positive impact.

“There are certainly positives for beer in the data, with greater beer choice for beer drinkers than ever before. But despite the recent cuts in beer duty, Britain’s consumers are still subject to some of the highest tax rates for beer in the EU. Let’s hope we see another tax cut next year.”