Purple Moose Brewery was pleased to be represented at a Westminster event this week, highlighting an important issue facing small independent Welsh breweries and local pubs.
Our Managing Director attended the event following an invitation from SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates, with Liz Saville Roberts MP also helping bring attention to the issue.
The discussion centred on the challenges many small independent breweries face when trying to supply beer to local pubs.
In many cases, pubs are restricted by supply agreements, approved supplier lists or wider purchasing arrangements, which can make it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for them to buy beer from smaller local producers.
For independent breweries like Purple Moose, based in Porthmadog, this can mean being locked out of local bars, even where there is demand from the pub, the customer, or the community.
This is not about asking for special treatment. It is about creating a fairer playing field for small Welsh brewers, giving pubs more freedom and giving customers more choice at the bar.
Independent breweries play an important role in local economies. They support jobs, suppliers, tourism, hospitality and the communities around them.
When local pubs are able to stock local beer, more of that value stays within the local area.
The event also highlighted the role of guest beer opportunities, which can help smaller breweries compete alongside larger, established producers.
For pubs, this can mean greater flexibility and a more varied beer range. For customers, it means the chance to enjoy a wider choice of beers from independent breweries across Wales.
We would like to thank SIBA, Liz Saville Roberts MP and everyone involved in helping raise awareness of this issue at Westminster.
As an independent Welsh brewery, we are proud to continue brewing in North Wales and championing great local beer.
We hope this discussion helps move things towards a fairer system for brewers, pubs and customers alike.
