United Kingdom
Small brewers’ relief is introduced in Britain
Reduced duty for low-volume producers, widely credited with the subsequent multiplication in the number of British breweries.
Why it matters
Tax policy that visibly changed what is available in a British pub within a decade.
How well this is established
| Certainty | Documented. Supported by contemporary records that survive and are agreed on. |
|---|---|
| When | 2002. Known to the year rather than to the day. |
| Where | United Kingdom |
Traditions
- British cask ale — Beer that completes its fermentation in the container it is served from and is dispensed without added gas, at cellar rather than fridge temperature.
Either side of this
← 2000: Thiol chemistry explains modern hop aroma · 2004: The hazy IPA emerges in New England →
See the whole sequence on the beer history timeline.
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.