Sales of beer in the on trade increased by 0.1% on
Increased beer sales in Q2 and Q3 2018 were driven in part by good weather, say the BBPA.
Pubs also benefited from a strong end to 2018 with beer sales growing by 2.2% in Q4 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. This was the first time Q4 beer sales grew in the on trade since 2011.
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of British Beer & Pub Association, said, “2018 has been a good year for beer and pubs. Considering the heavy cost burdens the industry faces from high beer duty, business rates and rising costs in general, it’s great to see beer sales doing the best they have for some years.”
“The Chancellor’s decision in the 2018 Autumn Budget to freeze beer tax also appears to have had an immediate impact, with sales of beer in pubs growing in the last quarter of 2018 by 2.2%. This shows just how important reducing the beer tax burden is to boosting sales of beer and helping pubs with their footfall.
“As the UK’s alcoholic drink of choice, which continues to have a much bigger, positive impact on the UK economy than any other drink, it is important that beer continues to do well and that the Chancellor continues to support pubs.”
