Too many unrelated beer industry groups cannot oversee unified success

Sustainable growth and longevity in oversaturated markets. Supporting industry rights and consumer protection that advocate responsible behaviour. And, most important: success challenging homogeny and unscrupulous monopolisation.

Common concerns raised within the beer and cider industry. Heard loudest in markets lacking governance and independent self-regulation. Usually where producers need most support and protection, and where consumer quality suffers.

Being ‘independent and not-for-profit’ is critical. Otherwise organisations taking on governance roles consider their turnover ahead of ethos.

Finding beer and cider industry governance organisations that make a genuine difference is rare. Either several similar bodies work independent of each other, despite the same goals. Or there’s no single body representing both producer protection and consumer rights.

Challenging industry harm is most effective if consumers and producers share focus. Yet the notion of several disparate organisations fighting the same battle defies logic. Single agents with twice the energy form formidable foes for aggressive monopolies. But enterprises concerned by their turnover overrule sense and choose a lucrative approach.

Whatever the approach, elitism, entitlement and exclusion have no place. Expensive membership fees, rising profit margins and fat cat leadership deters new blood. Organisations cannot claim to be representative when they’re devoid of independence. Filling one’s own coffers ahead of industry interest is no substitute for action.

The Brewers Association and CAMRA represent ideal USA and UK models. Yet many producers and consumers elsewhere flounder without a voice or central coordination. Generic concerns reach every market. But few regions recognise business jargon’s ‘joined-up’ or ‘parallel’ thinking wisdom.

Beer and cider industries agree. Single, independent bodies should oversee their members aims. A central organisation should recognise and promote breweries’ achievements and professional status. Yet many disparate groups sharing a region’s common focus limit unified progress.

Is there a single, independent body in your region representing local interests? A not-for-profit organisation speaking for both producers and consumers? If not, why not? Why don’t you raise your concerns in anger to find a unified voice that makes a national difference?

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