Regional and family brewers are experiencing a dramatic surge in sales of cask beer as appalling summer weather turns drinkers away from lager and cider.
Companies are reporting an uplift of between 5% and 11%, but say a significant proportion of the increase has come via growth from the turn of the year.
The biggest rise has been reported by brewers Batemans and Thwaites, who have recorded year-on-year increases of 7.8% and 6% respectively. Lancashire-based Thwaites revealed real- ale sales between April and July rose by as much as 11%.
A heat wave during June and July last year and the absence of a major soccer tournament this summer are also factors. The figures contrast sharply with the overall national decline in cask sales, which currently stand at 5.4% - a figure driven almost exclusively by the national brewers who have largely turned their backs on real-ale products.
Thwaites sales director Brian Jenkins said 2007 was the third consecutive year of growth in the cask market.
"The surge is being led by our Lancaster Bomber brand and sponsorship of cricketer Andrew Flintoff," he said.
"Our 200th anniversary this year has seen the launch of two cask ales - Wainwrights and Double Century - which has also increased awareness," he added.
Black Sheep Brewery at Masham, North Yorkshire, reported a year-on-year increase of between 5% and 10%, while Everards of Leicestershire revealed a 13% increase in sales of its Original Bitter on last year.
Cardiff-based Brains said sales of cask had risen as lager and cider drinkers switched allegiances.
"There's an underlying consumer trend at work - people are looking for a greater taste profile," said sales and marketing director Richard Davies. Independent cask ale producer, Moorhouse's of Burnley, said sales this year showed a double-digit rise.
CamRA: Cask growth trend due to independents
The Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) believes the green shoots of the cask-ale market have been obscured by the abandonment of cask beer by the national brewers.
But Camra information manager Ian Loe says the upsurge, driven by smaller brewers, has been apparent for some time. "There is growth out there - the trend has been discernible among family and independent producers," he said.
Loe added that the growing popularity of cask had been highlighted by this month's Great British Beer Festival, which saw 65,000 visitors and record volumes sold over the five days. "I think pubcos are getting the message and starting to sell more cask ale as a result. People are definitely looking for tastier beer styles.".