Guinness May Face Competition from New Breed of Craft Brewers
A new wave of small brewers is challenging Guinness's dominance in the nitro stout market with their own unique takes on the recipe.
According to Jack Hobday, co-founder of Anspach & Hobday, a London-based brewery that has gained significant traction with its London Black nitro stout, many brands have copied Guinness's approach without adding any originality. "A lot of brands haven't used an original take on the recipe, they've just tried to make it as close to Guinness as possible," Hobday says.
Anspach & Hobday's strategy is to celebrate their own local heritage and tap into the rich history of dark beers in London, which predates Ireland's stout-making tradition. By doing so, the brewery has successfully created a unique flavor profile that sets its nitro stout apart from Guinness.
London Black has become a favorite among beer enthusiasts, with 70% of the brewery's production dedicated to this product. The brand's rapid growth has also led to significant exports, including shipments to China and distribution agreements with major retailers like Marks & Spencer.
The rise of craft breweries is also evident in the overall market trend, with statistics from Siba showing that 80% of indie brewers now produce stouts or porters, more than double the number of lager producers. The value of "craft stout" sold in pubs has more than doubled last year, further indicating a shift away from mass-produced beers.
Other breweries, such as Titanic Brewery, are also making waves with their own nitro stouts and creative flavor profiles. Keith Bott, managing director of Titanic Brewery, notes that competing with Guinness is challenging but sees opportunities in offering unique alternatives to consumers looking for something different.
As the competition between Guinness and these new breed of craft brewers intensifies, one thing is clear: the market for beer is becoming increasingly diverse, with consumers demanding more choice and originality.
A new wave of small brewers is challenging Guinness's dominance in the nitro stout market with their own unique takes on the recipe.
According to Jack Hobday, co-founder of Anspach & Hobday, a London-based brewery that has gained significant traction with its London Black nitro stout, many brands have copied Guinness's approach without adding any originality. "A lot of brands haven't used an original take on the recipe, they've just tried to make it as close to Guinness as possible," Hobday says.
Anspach & Hobday's strategy is to celebrate their own local heritage and tap into the rich history of dark beers in London, which predates Ireland's stout-making tradition. By doing so, the brewery has successfully created a unique flavor profile that sets its nitro stout apart from Guinness.
London Black has become a favorite among beer enthusiasts, with 70% of the brewery's production dedicated to this product. The brand's rapid growth has also led to significant exports, including shipments to China and distribution agreements with major retailers like Marks & Spencer.
The rise of craft breweries is also evident in the overall market trend, with statistics from Siba showing that 80% of indie brewers now produce stouts or porters, more than double the number of lager producers. The value of "craft stout" sold in pubs has more than doubled last year, further indicating a shift away from mass-produced beers.
Other breweries, such as Titanic Brewery, are also making waves with their own nitro stouts and creative flavor profiles. Keith Bott, managing director of Titanic Brewery, notes that competing with Guinness is challenging but sees opportunities in offering unique alternatives to consumers looking for something different.
As the competition between Guinness and these new breed of craft brewers intensifies, one thing is clear: the market for beer is becoming increasingly diverse, with consumers demanding more choice and originality.