UK beer sales have increased at the highest rate since surveys began in 1997, according to the latest UK Quarterly Beer Barometer from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). Pub sales are up by 2.6%, with total beer sales up by 9.5%, following a second cut in beer duty in this year’s budget. The survey marks the first time that pub beer sales have seen a positive quarter since 2011, with a later Easter and the World Cup also being credited with boosting sales in the on-trade.
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said, “It has been a good quarter. These figures show in dramatic fashion the continued impact of the Government’s decision to cut beer duty again, to encourage consumers towards our low-strength, British-made national drink.
“The boost for pubs is especially welcome. Two previous World Cup tournaments were unable to turn around declining sales – these new figures indicate that the industry is moving in the right direction. With further cuts in beer duty, we can deliver on investment, growth and jobs.”