The consumer group’s new report, Beer in the UK, argues the market is dominated by a small number of global brewers, limiting choice for drinkers and access for independent producers.
CAMRA said seven of the top 10 selling “craft beers” in the UK are made by four global brewing companies.
It also claimed many beers marketed as “continental” or “import” lagers are brewed in the UK.
The report cited data from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) showing demand for independent beer is 280% higher than its share of the pub market.
The report comes as The Morning Advertiser’s (MA) Beer Report 2026 found world lager accounts for 30.3% of volume sales and 34.9% of value sales in GB pubs, highlighting the continued dominance of lager at the bar.
- Access The MA’s Beer Report here
Consumer choice
CAMRA chair Ash Corbett-Collins said beer drinkers were being “short changed” on choice and quality at the bar.
He said: “Our report proves how the global players are exploiting the status quo to squeeze out independent brewers, to the detriment of ordinary publicans and beer drinkers.
“The Government needs to step up, start taking the issue seriously, and take action that matches up to their statements about supporting pubs and the communities they serve.”
Corbett-Collins said the best way for a future Government to support a better night out would be to order a market investigation into the sector.
He added: “CAMRA is fighting for changes to the status quo, and I hope you’ll join us and get involved.”
It follows a MA beer roundtable from last year, where operators said premiumisation, differentiation and more distinctive beer ranges were becoming increasingly important as consumers visit less often but spend more per occasion.
Independent brewers
Report editor Tim Webb said the dominance of multinational brewers in the UK beer market was a “national embarrassment”.
He said: “The way that better, independent brewers are excluded from the on-trade beer market is scandalous.
“Brewing is a business that competition authorities need to investigate, take apart, and reassemble, so the UK can return to playing a leading role in the world of beer.”
CAMRA said the report set out the case for intervention to give consumers greater choice at the bar and improve access to pubs for independent brewers.
The group said it wanted the CMA to examine how the UK beer market operates and whether current structures are limiting competition.
