The Society of Independent Brewers was founded in 1980 under the title The Small Independent Brewers Association (SIBA) to represent the interests of the growing numbers of independent brewing companies in the United Kingdom. It was intended to fight the pub-tie system under which large breweries owned 80% of the UKs pubs.
It changed its name in 1995 to reflect better the changing aspirations of its members, but maintained its original acronym.
With growing credibility and campaigning success, SIBA has come to represent the broad spectrum of the independent brewing sector. There is no longer a ceiling on membership and the Society of Independent Brewers is now one of the most authoritative and respected bodies in the brewing industry.
SIBA aims to ensure that its members’ products are always of high quality and membership is conditional upon adhering to the Society’s Code of Practice and By-Laws.
SIBA attends the GBBF with a bar showcasing the winners on the SIBA National Beer Competition for that year.
In December 2003, SIBA launched the Direct Delivery Scheme (DDS) to help small brewers promote, sell and distribute their beers to local pubs, pubcos and retailers. The Internet-based system facilitates trade between "micro-suppliers and macro-consumers."[1]