Hello there my fellow beer lovers,
I dont think anyone could have predicted the events proceeding March 2020. We live in an unpresidented time of isolation, familys being kept appart and businesses folding left right and centre due to being unable to trade under the COVID Lockdown regime.
It certainly has not been all sunshine and rainbows, espeically for our nations brewers. In the very early stages of the lockdown it looked like Supermarkets were going to clean up the alcohol sales for the country in their entiraty, leaving independants out of the picture. Luckily though, after a number of discussions/negotiations between the Society of Independent Brewers [SIBA] and a various trade bodies the rules surrounding the closure of the breweries were changed allowing them to sell directly to the public.
This was a step in the right direction, now they had a roadmap, but most didnt have any roads or the means in order to get to the end result. Alot of businesses had to change drastically in order to survive. This varied from altering their interiors to allow for a one way system to creating websites and an online media presence. The latter of which to many was an alien concept. This is because most brewerys in the UK were predominantly Pub suppliers and nothing else, therefore had no real need for a website or online store until now. This meant many had to learn on their feet as it was sink or swim time and im glad that most seem to have atleast read water
However, this issue was trifle in comparison to the main problem most breweries had aound this time, and that was a large volume beer waiting to go to cask, and a of backlog of beer that already wrapped up and ready to go to the pubs, but now was sitting in their warehouses all dressed up with no where to go. This meant they had to find a way to repurpose this beer into managable small pack beers so that they are fit for public concumption, which to many was completley differnt to the norm. This sudden demand for smaller packaging led to a shortage in bottles, containers, labels, staff and curriers as breweries countrywide clambered for stocks and supplies.
This issue was doubled as many of the suppliers of such wares were also running on furloughed staff. These initial delays as you can imagine made planning and relaunchingf a business nearly impossible. Brewing already takes a considerable amount of time, but with the product already made it became a waiting game as to when and how much of the supplies they need get the beers to the public would arive, all the while they still had bills to pay and mouths to feed not to mention a supply and demand issue a new client base and their reputations to think about.
The fact that so many of our breweries rose to the challenge shows their versitility and their demand shows how important they are to our culture.
After the first month most breweries saw a steep influx of sales as the public cottoned on to the change and began to stock up on their top tipples. I have spoken to a number of breweries in my local area over 2020 and 2021, each of them have had their own individual struggles that they have had to overcome during the pandemic in order to stop the country and by association my house running dry.
For their efforts they have my admiration, my thanks and most of my money. You all truley are heroes, and I just wanted to say thank you, and I as many others are glad you are still here!
The|Eternal|Hoptimitsts 