SINGAPORE: The “beerpocalypse,” as some pundits have termed it, has claimed the local craft beer brewery Archipelago. By the end of June, Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Singapore will no longer operate under the brand.
These are tough times for craft beer brewers worldwide. In 2023, 52 breweries in Britain declared insolvency and an astounding 418 breweries in the US were closed.
The second-oldest brewery in Singapore, Archipelago was built in 1933 and located close to Alexandra Brickworks. In 2006, Archipelago, which had lain dormant for many years, was resurrected as APB’s craft brewing division. APB produces beers like Tiger, Anchor, and the regionally regulated Heineken.
But after 18 years, Heineken, the company that owns APB, has decided to close the artisanal brewery, citing a desire to reduce its portfolio due to “declining craft beer market realities and high operational costs.” The costs incurred by the conflict in Eastern Europe Ukraine has historically been a major supplier of wheat and barley, which are essential ingredients in beer, and inflation, which raises the cost of everything from ingredients and packaging to shipping, are some of these pressures.
Though produced with meticulous attention to detail by a small group of dedicated brewers, Archipelago most likely suffered from its affiliation with APB, a manufacturer of mass-market beers.
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