SIBA’s pledge to deliver better deal
The society’s Direct Delivery Scheme — which buys beers from hundreds of local brewers and sells them on directly to pubcos — was renamed Beerflex last week to reflect the association’s plans to grow commercially and in response to the forthcoming implementation of the market rent-only (MRO) option.
A new pricing system will also be implemented permitting brewers to price their own beers, allowing them to take into account the ingredients and effort put into production. Previously pricing decisions were made by pubcos according to each beer’s ABV level.
Stafford told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser he expects the new scheme will boost the number of brewers involved to about 1,000 — up from the current 550. There are 2,500 pubs in pubcos Punch, Enterprise, Admiral and Greene King that access the delivery scheme.
He said the association had a new IT system, which would allow it to process more orders and was in discussions with logistics companies to supply beer into their depots and network. Beerflex is also evolving to include, for the first time, craft keg beers alongside cask ales.
“We know there are licensees out there with pubcos that want beers supplied through the Beerflex scheme and they can’t get them at the moment,” Stafford said. “Licensees want choice and to be part of the craft beer revolution. The pubcos also need to develop their retail offering in a number of ways and become more flexible themselves. They have got to become more dynamic and responsive to MRO.
“We are trying to help licensees first and foremost, help brewers and enable pubcos to flex without incurring any extra costs.”
However, he said the aim of the scheme was not to take over the distribution between free traders and small brewers. He said that should remain a “truly personal relationship”.
