EXCHEQUER Secretary Damian Hinds visited the Hogs Back Breweryto highlight the government’s commitment to supporting the beer industry, as latest figures reveal growing numbers of breweries opening across the UK.

Latest published figures show that there are now an estimated 1,700 breweries across the UK, double the number than in 2010. The BBPA (Beer and Pub Association) also estimates that the beer and pubs sector is now responsible for nearly 900,000 jobs across the country.

News of the success of the industry follows the announcement of further government support at Budget 2016 when the tax on beer was frozen, knocking 10p off the tax paid on a typical pint of beer in comparison to what it would have been if the beer duty escalator was still in place.

In addition, an estimated 75 per cent of pubs stand to save hundreds of pounds per year as a result of the changes made in the budget to business rates.

On his visit Mr Hinds toured the award-winning brewery and met the owners and staff, together with representatives of the BBPA to discuss the impact of government support to the industry.

He said: “At Budget 16 we were pleased to support pubs and brewers by freezing beer duty and cutting business rates. We will continue to listen to industry stakeholders like the BBPA and I am determined to help where we can to ensure that breweries like the superb Hogs Back continue to thrive.

“This company is a great example of research, development and investment, always developing their product line and always coming out with something new, and something different.

“I think breweries like Hogs Back are contributing a huge amount to this great resonance in British real ale. The government absolutely understands the role of brewing and pubs in our communities. We often hear the phrase ‘the pub is the hub’, it’s where people come together of different age groups and backgrounds in a social atmosphere – it is also a big part of our tourism.”

According to CAMRA, the industry now produces an estimated 11,000 beer choices in the UK, including one-off specials and seasonal beers.

Hogs Back managing director Rupert Thompson said: “We were delighted to show Mr Hinds round our brewery and adjoining hop garden, which are thriving in part due to the government’s recent freeze on beer duty, and cuts of previous years.

“We are just about to spend another £100,000 on additional fermenters because our lager ‘Hogs Star’ is growing very fast, and sadly when we designed it we required that it had a long maturation time. I say sadly because we had to buy lots of vessels to hold it in, which is very expensive.

“What we’re doing as a result, we’re producing something we think is different and better than some of the competitor beers, So, we are investing at lot at the moment and it also means we are creating some jobs.

“It is a very competitive market at the moment, there are a lot of new breweries around. Our view is if we continue to produce quality beers and we invest in the business, then sooner than later we will start to really move forward and generate the profitability we need.”