UK imports of US craft beer up

The UK is the fourth largest export market for US craft beer behind Canada (51.1%), Sweden (10.1%) and Ireland (9.6%), with market share up 0.1% to 9.5% last year when compared with 2014.

Bob Pease, president and chief executive officer of the BA, who will speak at the Beer and Cider Summit in June, said: "The dynamic US craft beer scene leads the world in terms of quality, innovation and diversity."

Craft beer exports to the UK have been growing year-on-year during the past 10 years. The UK continues to be a "strong and important" market for US craft beer, a trend that is to continue, he added.

American craft beer exports rising​

A rise in beer exports from the US is a result of an explosion in interest in the category. However, the UK's craft beer scene could prove to be a real competitor to the US's, he hinted.

"We at the BA are of the mindset that a rising tide floats all boats," Pease explained. "We, therefore, commend and applaud the UK's small and independent breweries for producing full-flavoured, great-tasting beer and seeing robust growth of their own.

"As long as product quality is upheld then greater choice is good for the craft beer industry and good for the beer-drinking consumer."

Yet, the rise in US craft beer exports means there is a continued demand in the UK for diversity in the market.

UK craft beer growth​

He added: "The UK remains a strong and important market for American craft brewers and 2015's modest increase is a consolidation of past export growth."

Meanwhile, Pease is the headline speaker at the Publican's Morning Advertiser'​s first Future Trends: Beer and Cider event, set to take place in London on 22 June.

The US craft beer boss will outline the success of the craft beer scene in the States and give his predictions on how the UK's craft beer scene may evolve.

For more information about the agenda for the day, email Joanne Horton at wbnaar.ubegba@jeoz.pbz​ or by phone on 01293 610 403.