Camra Urges CMA Probe Into Global Brewery Dominance

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has called on the Competition and Markets Authority and the UK government to investigate the beer market, alleging that a small number of global conglomerates unfairly dominate the sector. In its 'Beer in the UK' report, the organization argues that these multinationals use anti-competitive tactics and pub ownership to exclude independent producers, noting that 80% of UK beer is now produced by foreign firms.

The report highlights a stark disparity between consumer demand and market availability, stating that demand for independent beer is 280% higher than its actual share of the pub market. Camra claims that global players mislead consumers regarding the origins and craft credentials of their products, citing Molson Coors' Madri beer as an example of a product marketed as the 'soul of Madrid' despite being brewed in Yorkshire. Additionally, four global companies produce seven of the top ten selling craft beers in the UK.

Industry data from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates shows that 137 independent breweries closed in 2025. This decline coincides with the closure of British sites by multinationals, including the Banks’s Brewery by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company and the Sharp’s Brewery by Molson Coors. While Asahi defended its practices by stating it supports a diverse market and provides clear packaging, other conglomerates like Heineken and ABInBev did not immediately comment.