The closure rate for UK breweries has slowed down in the first half of this year, according to SIBA, the trade body for independent brewers. The organisation’s latest UK Brewery Tracker showed the number of net closures running at an average of less than one a week in the first six months of 2026, down from three each week in the corresponding period…

Jo Gilbert’s London Wine Fair panel discussion set out to explore whether premiumisation still resonates in an increasingly challenging market. It ended up revealing a more complicated relationship between sustainability, profitability and consumer spendingFor years, sustainability and premiumisation have often been treated as natural bedfellows, the assumption being that lightweight bottles, regenerative/organic agriculture and carbon reduction programmes could all eventually be leveraged by corporate…

Vagabond is to open a new site in Brighton, its first outside London since 2021. The late autumn opening will also be the first for the chain outside the English capital since it was bought out of administration by Majestic in 2024. Vagabond will open on the site of a former Browns Brasserie in the south coast city’s popular Lanes district, and…

The Society for Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has partnered with Women On Tap to launch the 2026 Beer Industry Diversity & Inclusion Survey. Sent exclusively to SIBA members this month, the study aims to discover what is preventing SIBA members from improving inclusion and diversity in their workplaces. Made in collaboration with Women On Tap, the survey…

Australian company Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has announced plans to overhaul its U.S. business, resulting in a post-tax charge of A$558.4 million, the equivalent of just under £292.5 million. TWE, which produces Penfolds in Australia and operates U.S. brands including DAOU and Frank Family Vineyards, said that the overhaul would include fallowing vineyards, impairing brands and writing down inventory.

Matthew Jukes, wine writer, consultant, and speaker, has died aged 58. Jukes, who published more than 14 books about wine, was also known for his annual reports including the Burgundy En Primeur Report, the Bordeaux En Primeur Report, and the 100 Best Australian Wines Report. He worked in the UK wine business for more than 35 years and won several awards for his…

After forty years at the helm, Miles Jenner will be stepping down as head brewer at Harvey’s and moving into a new position as production director.  Retaining the role of joint managing director, Jenner is set to initially head the production function, supporting the next generation of brewers as they transition into senior leadership roles.  As part of these changes,…