Tied pub tenants in England and Wales could soon be free to stock a guest beer of their choice, something the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has long called for.

In the Budget on Wednesday 28 October, the government said it plans to add a “guest beer” provision to the Pubs Code. The code covers tenants of the large pub companies. Small Producer Relief, which lowers the alcohol duty paid by smaller brewers and cider makers, will also become £10 million a year more generous. More than 2,000 small producers will benefit, with the changes starting on 1 February 2027.

CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “The announcement in the Chancellor’s ‘Red Book’ that tied pub tenants in England and Wales will be allowed to serve a guest beer of their choice is incredibly welcome. This could, if introduced properly, help independent brewers get more of their beers onto bars.”

He added that the extra relief “is great news for supporting the local and independent producers that pubgoers value so much.”

CAMRA was disappointed that beer duty is going up, and that there was no help for pubs on VAT, energy costs or employer National Insurance.

For Welsh brewers, a guest beer right could mean more chances to get their ales onto bars well beyond their home patch.

Read CAMRA’s full reaction at camra.org.uk/articles/3052 and find out more about the campaign at camra.org.uk/take-action/budget