A lack of clear definition with consumers as to what is craft beer, along with big breweries pushing into the market, is hurting the UK’s craft brewers, reports The Conversation. Although figures given are for the UK market, the same problems apply to the Canadian industry.

The craft beer industry has grown at an astonishing rate over the past decade, with the number of new breweries constantly on the rise. In the last eight years, there has been a 20% increase in trademarks for beer in the UK. And as of 2019, the UK has the second largest number of breweries per person in the world (behind New Zealand). It’s estimated that the overall number of breweries in the UK reached 2,274 at the end of 2018, reports The Conversation.

This British beer craze is undeniably linked to the global craft beer movement, which originated in the US in the 1970s and has spread across markets including Italy, Spain, Australia and Canada. Yet, when asked what “craft beer” is, no one knows. The perceptions of producers don’t necessarily align with those of consumers. And that could spell trouble for craft brewers.

For the rest of the story, go here.