The Morning Advertiser (MA) spoke to the Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) head of comms Neil Walker and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) statistician Nick Fish, to examine the most popular beer styles to date throughout 2024, and to find out what customers can expect from the market going forward.
Break down in comparisons
“Nitro Stouts”, according to Neil Walker have "quickly become brewery best- sellers”. Stout sales were contrastingly recorded at 6% since the start of the year, as stated by Fish.
Premium lager sales were also reported to be at 51%, with standard at 26%. According to Walker, the introduction of newer and more “mainstream” lagers was also on the rise with emphasis on more enhanced and enriched flavour profiles.
According to Walker, pale ales in particular have gone from “strength to strength” with more advanced and diversified flavour profiles emerging throughout the category.
Data from a recent CGA Imbibe live event also showed beer and cider have grown their share of drink sales by a combined 1.6% percentage points in the last 12 months.
Recent beer sales data from BBPA:
Walker shared comments on the five most beer popular beer styles he has seen.
'Pintable' Pale Ales'
Pale ale is an amber coloured beer style, typically referred to as “bitter” due to it’s increased hop flavour. The amount of hops used in the brewing process of ales, is typically higher than that of beers and is typically brewed with pale malt.
Walker stated: “There was a time in craft beer's British adolescence when brewers and drinkers alike were chasing high ABVS and super heavy bitterness, but thankfully those times are mostly behind us.
"More recently there has been a huge trend for drinkable, aromatic, juicy pale ales of around 4 to 4.5% - as they are popular with long-time craft beer drinkers and are approachable for newcomers. It's a strength and style sweet spot that's going from strength to strength and appeals to a very broad demographic.”
West Coast Pilsner
Pilsners typically fall under the lager category, however west coast pilsner is a dryer hopped, German pilsner which is typically built with American or new world hops, and gives off a crisp, refreshing flavour with a more golden colour.
Beer experts, Beer & Brewing Co, described West Coast Pilsner as “having an intense hop aroma, flavour and bitterness” with “a contemporary dry hopped attitude”
Walker added: “If you've drank an 'IPL' or 'India Pale Lager' then you've experienced something close to a West Coast Pilsner, but the key difference here are the classic West Coast IPA notes of pine, citrus and clean bitterness. They really do tick all the boxes and are becoming a good seller for lots of independent British brewers - try the one from Rooster's for a tasty example.”
Independent Nitro Stouts
Stouts themselves are typically known for their low bitterness, usually a lot darker in colour palette and warm fermented. Nitro taps are what allow for a creamier effect, with a thicker head to the beer, allowing a darker brew to have a more pronounced, richer flavour.
Foam created by nitro bubbles is usually heavier and creamier in consistency. Nitro beer also contains larger amounts of nitrogen gas and typically less quantities of carbon dioxide gas.
Walker commented : “In a rare role reversal, the growth in popularity of a certain Irish stout has not gone unnoticed by independent brewers, with a great Nitro stout becoming a must-have for more and more taprooms.
"Generally aiming for an abv just over 4% and with a classically smooth white head, many of the independent Nitro stouts are quickly becoming brewery best-sellers such as Anspach & Hobday's London Black, by offering a little bit more flavour in the same creamy package drinkers have come to expect.”
Lower Alcohol / Table Beers
Table beers typically contain less amounts of alcohol than standard beers, and are typically between 2.8 to 3.8% Lower alcohol beers are usually no more than 1.2% ABV. Lower alcohol options essentially aim to re create the taste of a classic beer without the increased alcohol content.
Wine and Spirits Trade Association head of compliance, Kelly Moss said: “Lo and No are separate products but for data purposes, specifically people tend to group them together. There’s not even a legal definition for alcohol free, it is simply guidance stating it has to be 0.05% and below.”
“No alcohol beer (beers up to and including 0.5% ABV) have grown massively and have cemented their place on bars, but it's table beers of around 2 or 3% that I think now have the potential to really take off this year.
"Great examples include The Kernel's rotating 'Table Beer' pale ale range which show off various different single hops, and the whole range of beers from Small Beer - although I think their superb 2.4% Hazy Pale Ale on cask deserves particular mention. An absolute stunner of a cask beer that drinks like it's 4% plus.”
Unfiltered Lager
Unfiltered lager, is beer that is completely un touched, nothing has been removed from the beer and no components left out. As a result, maintaining all original proteins and flavour profiles. The flavour and aroma of unfiltered lager is typically more intense and sometimes also retains certain B vitamins and minerals from the yeast.
Walker said: “The launch of two mainstream 'Unfiltered' lagers from Stella Artois and Birra Moretti show that even the Global brewers have got their eye on consumers looking for a more rustic, hazier lager - perhaps something actually with a bit of flavour.
"But for the real deal try a traditional German Keller Bier, or even better pickup a can of UK brewery Lost & Grounded's superb Keller Pils, their best flagship beer that is hoppy, hazy yet incredibly crisp and drinkable.”
