More than 10m pints poured on ‘Mad Friday’
A total of 10.9m pints were sold on ‘Mad Friday’ as consumers started their Christmas celebrations.
Beer
Pint prices rise 2.5%
Draught lager prices rose by 2.5% in 12-months to November, the latest official figures have revealed.
INDIE BEER MASTERCLASS: Nitro stout
There’s been so much written recently about pints of the ‘Black Stuff’ running short across the UK that you would think it’s the only nitro stout available.
Marston’s increases price of draught beer
Marston’s has announced plans to increase the cost of a pint of draught beer at its pubs by 10p.
CAMRA stalwarts pass away
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is mourning the loss of two of its key pioneers who championed beer festivals and independent brewers.
Guinness supply issues ongoing to end of December with “phased replenishment” in Jan
Guinness supply challenges are set to continue through to the end of December, Diageo has revealed in an update to customers.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Woodforde’s releases first alcohol-free beer
Woodforde’s Brewery has entered the low & no alcohol category with the launch of Volt 0.5.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Thornbridge introduces alcohol-free version of Jaipur
Derbyshire brewery Thornbridge has expanded its low and no beer range with the introduction of an alcohol-free version of its flagship brew.
300m Xmas pint sales predicted but pubs to make pennies
Pubs make “pennies” from beer sales as new figures predict 300m pints could be sold across the sector in December, pouring £3.3bn into the economy.
EXCLUSIVE
City pub introduces Guinness 'ration cards'
A London pub has introduced ‘ration cards’ for customers as Guinness shortages continue to impact the on-trade.
Unite secures recognition agreement for members at Camden Town Brewery
Unite the Union has claimed it has secured formal recognition for its members at Camden Town Brewery’s Enfield facility.
C&C Group appoints Roger White as new CEO
Drinks business C&C Group has appointed Roger White as its new CEO, who will start work in the role on 20 January 2025.
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS: The allure of Guinness
Following reports Guinness manufacturer Diageo is struggling to fulfil supplies to pubs across Great Britain, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) looks at what the appeal is when it comes to the famed pint of ‘the black stuff’.
Everards reports 4% rise in turnover
Leicestershire-based pub operator and brewer Everards has reported a 4% uptick in turnover.
BIG INTERVIEW
BIG INTERVIEW: ‘Cask is in our veins’ says Hook Norton boss
We can’t change the past, but we can invest in people to inspire the next generation and shape the future.
OPINION
OPINION: What’s happening with Guinness – the success story of the year?
At first, there were rumours.
EXCLUSIVE DATA
Stout sales drive trade as venue occupancy rises
Pubs have started to see “green shoots” in the marketplace as improved trading figures spark hope for a strong festive season.
Rising pint prices a ‘constant worry’ for pubs
The rising cost of beer is a “constant worry” for pubs as price increases risk “pushing patrons away”.
OPINION
OPINION: ‘Time was right for St Austell to develop low-alc beer’
Creating a low-alcohol beer wasn’t at the top of my list as a brewer.
Guinness supply woes gather pace
Guinness supply issues are continuing to cause headaches and concerns for pub operators in the run up to Christmas.
Cost of a pint rises 2.8%
The average cost of a pint of draught lager in pubs jumped 2.8% in the year to October 2024, the latest official figures have revealed.
DRINKS LIST 2025
Find out the top brands to stock for 2025
The latest Drinks List from The Morning Advertiser is here, it’s absolutely free to access and it’s all yours – right now.
EXCLUSIVE
Spike in demand causes supply issues for Guinness ahead of Christmas
Concerns are rising over the supply of Guinness in the run up to Christmas, as owners Diageo report “exceptional” consumer demand.
JDW among pubs to drop Conor McGregor's stout
London-based, Irish-inspired pub company Windmill Taverns has dropped Forged Irish Stout following the civil rape verdict against the brand’s founder Conor McGregor.
DRINKS LIST 2025
Why the Drinks List 2025 is a ‘must-have’ to help stock your bar well
The Morning Advertiser is launching its latest Drinks List so you know the most popular brands in the UK on-trade and how well each one is faring at pubs and bars up and down the country.
Peroni launches gift wrapping service at London pubs for Black Friday weekend
Asahi UK has announced the launch of an exclusive gift-wrapping service at two London pubs over Black Friday weekend.
OPINION
OPINION: Discovering beer’s bright future in a changing world
After some tough years, the beer industry is finally approaching pre-pandemic revenues and volumes – and we can see ahead of us a new horizon of opportunity.
North Brewing co-founders to step away from brewing arm
Co-founders of popular Leeds-based business North Brewing, Christian Townsley and John Gyngell have announced they are stepping away from the brewing arm of the company.
NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP
Chouffe unveils new beer on draught
This month's round-up includes new products from Chouffe Brewery, Greene King, Rampur and more.
OPINION
OPINION: Does ‘independence’ mean anything in beer?
The word ‘independent’ – being free from outside control – can carry a lot of weight.
Gipsy Hill Brewing acquired by Sunrise Alliance Beverages
London-based Gipsy Hill Brewery has entered a "strategic partnership" with independent UK brewing group Sunrise Alliance Beverages that will target great quality and eco awareness.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE: Film stars will have ‘role to play’ in Wrexham Lager story
Everyone will have their “role to play” in building 'brand Wrexham' but the community will remain at the heart of the brewery, Wrexham Lager CEO James Wright told The Morning Advertiser (MA).
THE BIG INTERVIEW
BIG INTERVIEW: ‘When I care about something, I really go for it’ says BBPA’s McClarkin
Only working in sectors that she cares about was one of the points British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) boss Emma McClarkin stressed when discussing her career.
Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney become brewery co-owners
Hollywood megastars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have become co-owners of historic lager brewery Wrexham Lager Beer Co alongside the Roberts family.
BUDGET 2024
1p off a draught pint but other dispense formats will see duty rise
The Government’s “commitment to support smaller brewers” came in the form of a 1.75% reduction in beer/cider duty for draught products in the Budget.
Wells & Co introduces ‘Josie 175’ in celebration of Josephine Wells
Wells & Co is set to introduce a new brew offering in light of the late Josephine Well’s 175th birthday.
Beer industry boost vow in Budget welcomed
SIBA and CAMRA have welcomed the Government’s intention to support the independent brewing industry but urged further reliefs be made on draught beer duty and business rates.
Back British lager says Innis & Gunn founder
The founder of Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn has urged lager drinkers to back British beers after research showed only 27% of Brits think the UK produces good beer.
OPINION
OPINION: There’s a storm brewing
Since writing my last opinion piece, I have been immersing myself in cask ale… not literally, of course, although it would make a fun alternative to wild water swimming.
Brains boss steps down
The boss of Cardiff-based Brains Brewery has announced he will be stepping down from the business in December after four years in the post.
5 key trends shaping the future of beer
Artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to play an increasingly important role in the production of beer, according to a new report which highlights the five major trends shaping the future of beer.
The Lock In Podcast
The death of craft beer?
With the craft beer breweries struggling and the market declining, the Lock In team asks the question, is this the end for the craft beer movement?
Champion Beer of Britain 2024 revealed
This year's overall winner of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)'s Champion Beer of Britain has been unveiled.
CAMRA backs SIBA’s Indie Beer campaign
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has added its weight behind the Indie Beer campaign launched by beer consumer group the Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA).
75% ‘misled’ by global brands over independent business values
Three in four people (75%) believe beer drinkers are being misled by global brands passing themselves off as independent craft breweries.
Siren and Red Fin seal deal and vow to help pubs
Pubs are set to benefit after Siren Craft Brew and Red Fin Cider announced they have joined forces in a bid to collaborate without either having a fiscal interest in the other.
Greene King unveils new beer to mark £20m fundraising 'milestone'
Greene King has announced the launch of a limited-edition beer to celebrate hitting its £20m fundraising target for Macmillan Cancer Support.
OPINION
OPINION: We must work with Gov to reform biz rates pledge
A new Government with a huge majority can reset the UK in many ways, most importantly for hospitality is a fairer tax burden between tech businesses and traditional ones, like ours.
Northern Monk and Timothy Taylor's release collaborative stout
Northern Monk and Timothy Taylor’s have joined forces to release a new collaborative brew.
Pint prices rise by 3.6%
The price of a pint of draught lager in pubs jumped 3.6% in the 12 months to September 2024, new figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.