About Siba, the society of independent brewers
Siba, the Society of Independent Brewers, is a trade organization that represents independent brewers in the United Kingdom. The organization was founded in 1980 and has since become the voice of British independent brewing. Siba's mission is to promote and protect the interests of its members by providing them with information about the industry, lobbying on their behalf, and offering support services.
Siba's membership includes over 800 independent breweries across the UK. These breweries range from small microbreweries to larger regional brewers. Siba provides its members with a range of benefits including access to market data, legal advice, training courses, and networking opportunities.
One of Siba's key roles is to lobby on behalf of its members at both national and local levels. The organization works closely with government bodies such as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure that policies are in place that support independent brewing.
Siba also works closely with other organizations within the industry such as CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and BFBi (Brewing Food & Beverage Industry Suppliers Association). By working together these organizations can achieve more than they would individually.
In addition to lobbying activities Siba also provides its members with access to market data through its BeerXcel database. This database contains information on beer sales across different regions of the UK which can be used by brewers when planning their production schedules.
Siba also offers training courses for its members covering topics such as brewing techniques, marketing strategies, health & safety regulations etc. These courses are designed to help brewers improve their skills and knowledge which ultimately leads to better quality beer being produced.
Another benefit offered by Siba is legal advice which can be invaluable for small businesses who may not have access to specialist legal services otherwise. This service covers areas such as employment law, contract law etc.
Finally Siba offers networking opportunities through events such as BeerX, the organization's annual conference and trade show. This event brings together brewers, suppliers, and other industry professionals for a day of networking and learning.
In conclusion Siba is an essential organization for independent brewers in the UK. Its lobbying activities ensure that policies are in place to support the industry while its range of benefits including market data, training courses, legal advice etc. help its members to improve their businesses. By working together with other organizations within the industry Siba can achieve more than it would individually which ultimately benefits all independent brewers in the UK.