This year, 2020, will probably go down in history as the weirdest of the 21st century – although there’s a while to go so something really weird could happen yet.
For the beer industry it’s unprecedented, not even global conflicts have stopped the brewers brewing, so the industry has had to adapt on the fly and consumers have adapted right along with it.
This has, quite obviously, led to a huge increase in small pack beer consumption. I felt at the time that keeping beer on the ‘essentials’ list was a very British thing to do in a crisis and like the troopers we are we set about expanding our beer consumption rates with a will; heroes every one of you!
Our understanding right now, on the 5th of June, is that pubs will be able to open 4th/5th of July. That’s subject to confirmation and there will clearly be some guidance for businesses to adhere to but it’s definitely welcome news for many of us.
It’s also quite clear that many of us have enjoyed having their beer fix at home and and it’s been interesting for us over here at Shed Beer to have been part of helping that to happen. Our own beers have gone into bottles, we’ve been putting cask beer into bag in boxes and we’ve also helped some customers with fitting out bars at home.
Some of the creativity we’ve seen has been inspiring; who knew that the humble pallet could be put to such brilliant use?
Where this leaves us is really, genuinely, pleased that pub opening is on the horizon but also believing that home consumption is still going to be significant.
For us as a small business, what that means is that we will continue to support (and encourage!) those who choose to take their beer fix at home. We will carry as many small pack lines as we possibly can and continue to bottle as much of our own output as we can for home delivery across the Fylde Coast.
Once our supply lines are less gummed up and the brewers are actually brewing beer again we will be able to supply pretty much anything for those with bars at home from bulk beer in kegs to CO2 cylinders.
Steve