UK: German and Belgian specialist brews in shortage as a result of Brexit red tape and Covid-19

The company ‘Beers of Europe’, which claims to operate the biggest beer shop in Britain as well as offering online sales, has issued a warning about the problem to customers.

British craft brewers have seized on the news with a call to drinkers to ‘Buy British’ in an effort to reclaim at least some of the sales lost during the pandemic lockdown of pubs, which has devastated the industry.

The difficulty in importing beer from continental Europe reflects a wider problem of Brexit red tape and costs facing companies and individuals trying to get goods, from cheese to bath taps, across the Channel.

Beers of Europe issued an alert to customers reading: ‘As many of you know, we are currently experiencing shortages of our German and Belgian beers.

Experts say there is a long list of British brewers producing fabulous German-style pilsners, wheat beers and Belgian-style saisons, as well as traditional ales and stouts. Picture: Stock

‘We have stock on order but unfortunately, it has been delayed due to transport issues in and out of Europe. Many hauliers are experiencing a lack of driver and lorry availability.’

It adds: ‘We appreciate it is frustrating when your favourite beers are unavailable. Rest assured that we are working to resolve these delays but it is very much dependent on the haulage position and this is something out of our control.’

Sales director at the firm, based in Norfolk, Jason Clark, said: ‘Different paperwork is required, so it is taking a bit longer this first time for the suppliers to switch over.

‘We are also getting feedback from the transport company that drivers are reluctant to travel over because it can take several days to get back out. I think this is a combination of Brexit and Covid.’

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), which represents some 723 small producers, said UK craft beer production and sales have been hard hit by the pandemic.

It estimates that 200 million fewer pints of craft beer were brewed in 2020 against the background of lockdown pub closures. The UK’s independent brewing sector contracted a massive 34per cent in 2020 and some 83per cent of breweries produced less beer.