https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4932-0473
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ABSTRACT
This paper examines the potential of the craft beer sector as a regional development lever. Focusing on three culturally linked but politically distinct small nations, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, it takes a historical journey from the inception of this sector to the present day. Discussion focuses on highlighting the complex interactions between brewing, society, policy and economy. We review current policy and sectoral realities for our Celtic context and propose a grounded and holistic vision of regional craft-brewing policies, particularly around more circular and zero-waste ecosystems.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1 Population ecologists, for example, consider craft brewing as an inherently peripheral sector, which exploits those resource-scarce spaces overlooked by the centre, and its large-scale generalists (Clemons et al, Citation2006, p. 152; Elzinga et al., Citation2015, p. 724; Carroll & Swaminathan, Citation2000; Carroll, Citation1985; Argent, Citation2018, p. 3; Cabras and Bamforth, Citation2016, pp. 626–628).
2 These included the large breweries Beamish and Crawford (Scottish & Newcastle since 1995), Guinness (Diageo), Murphys (Heineken since 1983), Great Northern (Harp, Diageo since 1959), Macardles (Diageo since 2003), Smithwicks (Diageo since 1965) and Waterford brewery (acquired by Guinness in 1952, ceased brewing in 1954).
3 Now considered to have broken almost all the tacit rules governing craft beer culture, Brewdog may be cast out from the craft fold, but they remain Scotland’s third ‘unicorn’ enterprise, a high-profile focus for all things ‘artisan’ and ‘punk’.
4 In Wales, this rise could be due to an increase in popularity of craft beer influenced by changing customer preferences and their willingness to pay more for good-quality craft beer (SIBA British Craft Beer Report, Citation2019). This is encouraging sign for the sector across the UK and Wales in particular, where average consumption of alcoholic drinks per person per week from 2014 to 2017 in Wales is lower than rest of the UK, that is, 679 ml in Wales followed by 680 ml in Scotland, 683 ml in England and 747 ml in Northern Ireland (DEFRA, Scottish Government, Citation2020).
5 These attributes, as well as taste and pleasure, have led some scholars to argue that it was in fact brewing that first led the drive to agriculture, settlement and socio-economic development, rather than baking (Katz & Voigt, Citation1986; Cabras & Higgins, Citation2016, p. 611).