Family-run brewery threatened if UK leave the European Union with a No-Deal Brexit
A family-run brewery in Staffordshire is concerned about their future after Brexit with the government failing to inform the changes of importing ingredients from European and international sellers.
The owner of the Lymestone Brewery says he is “trying to paint a picture of the scenario but nobody knows what is going to happen.”
Importing from around Europe
Ian Bradford, owner of the brewery, said he has “tried to mitigate by using UK hops” but a hop merchant “imports from all around the world.”
Mr Bradford explains that the beer he has created for a November release contains hop from Germany, Barley from France and yeast from Belgium.
“We have plenty for the short-term demand, but after that there is a BIG risk we won’t have enough.”
Lymestone Brewery is located in Stone, Staffordshire and was founded in 2008 with two pubs offering a selection of beer from the brewery.
The customers of the brewery and pubs expect worldwide ingredients says Mr Bradford, and if they can’t be provided it will “affect the business.”
Breakdown of strong relationships
Mr Bradford also spoke about the UK brewing industry ‘failing’ if the UK leaves the European Union with a No-Deal Brexit, due to the UK being obliged under the World Trade Organization rules to impose average food import tariffs of 22%.
In an interview with The Spirits Business, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, also warned that a “no-deal Brexit is the worst-case scenario and maximises the chances of disruption quickly.”
Mr Bradford also fears for the good relationships obtained over the years, saying he has “established a good link with our global neighbours and now it feels like I’m turning my back on them.”
The UK is set to leave the European Union on 31st October 2019. Find out more information here.
