Sir: There’s been a dramatic fall in UK imports of American craft beers (‘American craft beer sales slump due to overly demanding UK retailers’, thegrocer.co.uk, 25 August).

However, there’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Firstly, I believe the imports of brewers not in the Brewers Association EDP, such as Anchor and Brooklyn, have increased significantly and, secondly, it may be that Goose Island is no longer classified as a craft brewery after its acquisition by AB InBev. That headline figure of a 44.5% decline needs further analysis.

American craft beers can act as a powerful USP for a supermarket, as I found out when buying beer for Safeway from 1997 to 2004. I got the beers by approaching brewers directly rather than waiting for UK agents to call on me. That was my pull in the absence of an American push - and now there is not much of either.

The rarer craft beers are still trickling in, but by the pallet rather than the container and can be found at boutique bars and specialist retailers. Meanwhile, a few more UK and US breweries have tie-ups, such as Adnams with Lagunitas and Marston’s with Shipyard.

The shelf-life issue that Eric Wallace alludes to is a consumer perception issue. In America, drinkers are used to seeing a day of production on the pack. In Europe, however, drinkers reactively assume it’s past its best-before date.

American breweries are producing some of the world’s greatest beers, but many view European exports as a nicety rather than a necessity.

American craft beer is undoubtedly an opportunity, but not one that’s high on anyone’s agenda. A shame.

Glenn Payne, proprietor

Topics