Camra accuses the CMA of preventing beer from the UK’s biggest breweries

• Camra says the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) is preventing beer from the UK’s biggest breweries by banning it from distribution.
• Camra also argues that the CMA has opened an investigation into 137 illegal beer brands in 2025, which are 80% of the UK’s beer market by volume.
• Camra also claims that the top 10 most popular «craft beers» in the UK are being blocked from distribution, and that the investigation into this practice is ongoing.

Camra’s members accuse the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) of conducting an investigation into beer in the UK by banning large breweries’ branded beer from distribution. Camra says it is based on materials provided by Camra itself.

In its annual Beer in UK report, Camra states that illegal beer brands cannot be traded through the strongest competition, and that, in particular, the organization «is trying to stop» the remaining situation by conducting a specific investigation. Camra also notes that beer is imported from abroad, but that, according to the organization, it is not possible to import it, and that it is not possible to find the beer in the UK. Camra also says that it is possible to import beer, but that it is not possible to find it in the UK.

Based on Camra’s data, in 2025 the organization recorded 137 illegal beer brands in the UK, which is about 1,578. In particular, the materials state that 80% of the UK’s beer market by volume is made up of these illegal companies.

Camra also points out that the top 10 most popular «craft beers» in the UK are being blocked from distribution. The report lists Beavertown (Heineken), Camden Town & Goose Island (ABInBev), Meantime (Asahi) and Blue Moon (Molson Coors).

In addition, it is noted that the investigation found that the group of small breweries was being blocked from distribution. For example, Molson Coors’ brewery Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall, and Sharp’s beer, which is sold in the UK, is being blocked from distribution. It is also stated that Banks’ Brewery in Wolverhampton is being blocked from distribution, as is Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC).

Camra also says that the investigation is being conducted for the purpose of promoting small breweries, and that this is done with the involvement of an economic interest. Camra’s Ash Corbett-Collins says that it is important to «take action» against the problem of small breweries being blocked from distribution. Camra also says that the organization is trying to stop the remaining situation by conducting a specific investigation.

In response, Asahi says that the company operates within the UK’s beer market, and that it is not possible to block beer from distribution, and that it is not possible to block the brand from distribution. The materials also note that Guardian reported that Molson Coors, Heineken and ABInBev commented.

Tags: Europe/Politics/Economy