Carling named most ‘boring’ draught tap at pubs

Conversely, consumers want to see more keg taps for Red Stripe, Estrella Galicia and Sagres.

The research, which comes from Kingfisher Drinks and is part of its Boring Beer Index​, also found people want to try new brands when drinking out of home and are “happy to trade up to more premium choices”.

The beer and cider drinks business said the data reiterated the importance for pubs to regularly refresh their beer ranges, however, pubs must still need to cater for those drinkers who love the drinks that have been on the bar for many years.

Older people most content​

It recommended having rotational or seasonal taps to introduce newer brands.

Key findings from the research revealed that two thirds (67.5%) of respondents confirmed they are ‘always’ or at least ‘sometimes’ bored of seeing the same old brands behind the bar, with 25 to 34-year-olds being most likely to be looking for something different with 78% saying they were bored.

The 65+ age group were most content with 53% being ‘never’ bored of a pub’s draught offer while it is men (78%) who were more bored than women (61%) of seeing age-old draught favourites.

Carling (46.9%), Fosters (46.6%) and Stella (35.0%) came out top of the brands consumers were most bored of seeing, while Red Stripe (29.9%), Estrella Galicia (27.4%) and Sagres (23.9%) were the top three they want to see more of.

Flourishing and growing​

Kingfisher Drinks head of marketing John Price said: “The past four or five years have been extremely tough for on-trade operators and trading conditions remain challenging but it’s not all doom and gloom within beer sales.

“Some segments and brands are clearly flourishing and growing, making it now more important than ever to stock the right brands behind your bar.

“The key takeaway is that a large number of consumers like to try new beer brands when they are drinking out of home and are happy to trade up to more premium choices.”

The report stated it is also worth remembering the niche brands of yesteryear are the superstars of today. As recently as 2016, Birra Moretti sold less than 100,000 hectolitres of draught beer in the UK while today it is the No.1 brand​.

Similarly, Madri only launched in October 2020 and yet it is already a top five draught lager brand.