Pubs to resist liberalisation of craft beer ‘tap room’ licensing

He made the observation after hearing from vintners and hospitality representatives on a proposed new Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.

The Stormont Communities committee were told that the traditional pub trade will strongly resist any moves to allow beer or whiskey makers to open up round the clock ‘tap rooms.’ Mr. Durkan, who declared an interest stating that his family are in the licensed trade, said craft brewers have been ‘lobbying extensively and making, I think, a very cogent argument or arguing their case very well.’

“I have put it to them, and this is on record as well, about the importance of working in partnership and complementing rather than competing with our existing pubs. Is there any scenario you can see where you would be supportive or at least could live with the opening of tap rooms, even on a very limited basis?” he asked.

Colin Neill of Hospitality Ulster said the ‘occasional license’ allows craft brewers to sell their own beer on site.

“It is very simple to do and we have seen successful tap rooms run under that and that is in partnership,” he said.

But Mr. Neill said pubs would not welcome ‘tap rooms’ opening full-time as they could undercut bars.

“If you are making a product and then selling it to me to retail and then you are opening on what are the busy nights that I get an opportunity to pay my overheads and actually sell that product, either at a far better profit than I can because you have got it at cost or at a reduced price, it damages the whole eco system.

He added: “If it’s not going to be big volume for the tap rooms because their main thing is to sell to the trade then the current occasional licence system allows them to do that without any hassle at all.”

Stephen Magorrian, from the Horatio Group, also indicated resistance, citing the example of one of his bars which stocks beer from a microbrewery. “If that brewery decides he’s going to open a tap room and have entertainment and bring people in to drink and everything else then I’m taking those taps from my counter because he becomes my opposition,” he maintained.

Phil Patterson from the Approachable Group said: “There is an opportunity for breweries to signpost all of our hospitality consumers to the pub to continue their journey after their visitor experience. “

Mr. Durkan observed: “It’s good that we get another perspective on this. There has been a very strong, good lobby from local industry but I did caution at committee that it wasn’t going to be that straightforward and it sounds like sadly that that is the case.”