Refreshing viewpoint (Rupert Thompson)
The busy Witney brewery in Oxfordshire is home to Wychwood and Brakspear beers. We chat to Rupert
Thompson, chief executive of owning company Refresh UK
How do you look back at business in recent months?
For the British beer industry it has been challenging – the summer was not as good as we would have hoped given the football and the warm weather, and the recovery in the autumn did not fully compensate.
On the other hand, there does seem to be growing interest in speciality beers and in beer and food matching.
Wychwood perhaps had a slightly better year than some because of our focus on speciality beers – Hobgoblin has had a great autumn, and so has Brakspear.
What were the least and most satisfying aspects of the beer trade in 2006?
The press attack on the industry before the implementation of the new opening hours was very disappointing – it was obviously incorrect and deliberately exaggerated scaremongering. It was very satisfying to see them proven wrong!
I was also delighted that at the end of 2006 the Beer Academy was able to announce its merger with the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, which will strengthen both organisations and significantly improve beer education in the United Kingdom.
How do you think the British beer market will progress in 2007?
More of the same – I think we will see a continuing growth in interest in speciality beers, including traditional cask ale, and I would expect to see some innovation in that area. I would like to see the end of loss-leading promotions of major lager brands in the UK supermarkets which is not perhaps the most responsible form of beer retailing – but it require.....
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Section : Last Shout
Page number : 74
