The Beer Market is Moving Towards Globalisation
The outstanding issues facing UK brewing at the start of the 21st century revolve around the restructuring of ownership that has brought a new, international dimension to the sector... The British brewing industry is in the middle of the most significant period of restructuring in its long history. It appears that the rearguard action fought by British brewers for many years has started to surrender recently – in 2000, Whitbread and Bass sold off their UK brewing businesses. Along with the shrinking range of available beers, there is speculation over the future of many of the nationals' domestic beer brands, with market leader – Scottish & Newcastle – intent on building an international structure based on its newly acquired Kronenbourg lager brand, and much of the industry coming under foreign control.
