Sharp’s Doom Bar came under fire earlier this year after it was revealed that some bottles were brewed in Burton-Upon-Trent despite its Cornish branding, and Meantime admitted that its London Lager has occasionally been made with a beer brewed in Enschede, Holland.
Speaking to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, Watt said: “I’d like to see beer labelled to prevent imports being passed off as UK beer. It would show respect to the customers.”
Watt added that he was concerned about the impact a wave of recent big brewer acquisitions-including the SAB Miller and AB InBev merger and Heineken’s acquisition of American craft beer Lagunitas- could have on craft brewing.
“Big beer has made its intentions very clear, and I don’t see it as a good thing to cash out. Craft beer is built on the skill and passion of the person who makes the beer.”
BrewDog have previously said that its bars will no longer stock Lagunitas following the Heineken buy-out.
The Scottish brewer defended its latest beer No Label, described as the world’s first transgender beer and made with hops that change from male to female before they’re harvested. No Label has faced some criticism from gay and transgender campaign group Stonewall.
Watt stressed that BrewDog have worked with LGBTQ events organiser Queerest of the Queer on every aspect of the beer, and that all money made from the beer will be donated to charity.
It’s been a typically busy week for Watt, who is promoting his new book Business for Punks as well as launching the group’s newest site, BrewDog Soho.