Brewery closures hit UK and Slovakia amid shifting consumer demand

The brewing industry is facing significant shifts as traditional breweries close due to changing consumer habits. In the United Kingdom, Carlsberg Britvic has announced plans to close the historic Marston’s Brewery and its primary logistics center in Burton upon Trent by summer 2027. The decision follows a sharp decline in the cask ale market, where sales volumes have dropped by more than half in less than a decade. The closure is expected to impact approximately 300 to 310 jobs.

While major brands such as Hobgoblin, McEwan’s, and Brooklyn will remain in the company’s portfolio, the firm intends to seek new owners for its regional ale brands.

In Slovakia, a similar trend is emerging with the closure of several microbreweries. Breisburg Brewery in Bratislava and the long-standing Banskobystrická Perla have recently announced they are ceasing production. Management at Perla noted that beer sales are no longer meeting previous levels, reflecting a broader struggle for smaller producers in the region.