Brewer Simon Buckley gives his views on 2013

Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery group, said –
“2013 is going to be one of the hardest years for some time for the licensed trade.
“Increasing gloom is spreading across the industry, with increased duty on beer planned for the budget and rocketing prices for raw materials.
“Pub selling prices are continuing to drop.
“There is little doubt that there will be significant rural pub closures in 2013 and many small brewers will not survive.
“As far as we are concerned, we have modest plans for 2013 - to increase production across a wider customer base and to bring on line our long awaited bottling plant and new internet beer company.
“Margin is the key word for 2013.
With increasing unemployment and no short-term Welsh Government initiatives for growth, I think that, for many, 2013 is going to be bleak.
“But we are in the market-place, profitable, and now building on what is a great brewing tradition and quality offering.
“Will consumers come out to the pubs in 2013? Let’s hope so!”
Evan-Evans is built on a rich tradition of 245 years of family brewing. As a family, the Buckleys have brewed beer in Wales since 1767. Today, the tradition lives on with Simon and his son James , seventh and eighth generations of the family, brewing in Llandeilo. The company also produces the Archers brand of ales.
http://www.evanevansbrewery.com/