Beer

What's in the news 13 September?

Review of the Week

'We pay suffocating levels of tax'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with SIBA boss Andy Slee to get his take on the week's news, from budgetary requests through to brewery successes and failures.

Opportunities ahead: Harvey's Brewery beats pre-Covid sales record (Credit: Getty/Adermark Media)

Harvey's beats pre-Covid sales record

By MCA

Harvey and Son, the Sussex family brewer and pub operator, increased turnover by 8.3% to £24.m in 2023, exceeding pre-covid records.

Immensely proud: Jonathan Adnams stepping down as chair due to health issues

Jonathan Adnams stepping down as chair

By Rebecca Weller

Suffolk-based brewer, Adnams, has announced chairman Jonathan Adnams has stepped down with immediate effect due to health reasons.

Optimistic: Heineken UK Beer Report 2024 shows beer market is worth £13.5bn to the on-trade (Credit:Getty/Jonathan Knowles)

Beer market worth £13.5bn to pubs

By Rebecca Weller

The size of the total UK on-trade beer and cider market has grown to £13.5bn, a new report from Heineken has found.

More venues to be added: Diageo has stated Guinness 0.0 will be available at football grounds

Guinness 0.0 variant trial to be expanded

By Gary Lloyd

Guinness owner Diageo has announced its zero-alcohol variant will be available at a select number of pubs in Great Britain after successful trials in London sites such as the George and the Devonshire.

Very happy: Devonshire pub becomes first to sell Guinness 0.0 on draught (Pictured: Peter Couch pulls the first pint of Guinness 0.0 / Credit: Oisin Rogers)

The Devonshire introduces Guinness 0.0 on draught

By Rebecca Weller

Having a no and low range that is comparable in “flavour, taste, texture and look” to popular full-strength serves is “very important”, Oisin Rogers told The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Mitigating costs: Asahi lowers ABV of one of its core beers but keeps on-trade price the same (Credit:Getty/Monty Rakusen)

Asahi reduces Hophead ABV

By Rebecca Weller

Asahi has lowered the alcoholic strength of one of its core beers as costs hit an “all-time” high, The Morning Advertiser (MA) has learned.

Year-on-year increases: Pint costs up 0.4% during Q2 2024 (Credit:Getty/SolStock)

Beer costs up 0.4% during Q2

By Rebecca Weller

Pint prices increased by 0.4% during the second quarter of 2024, down 0.1 percentage points compared with Q1.

Welsh fire: Roger Protz talks to the people at Brains about its resurrection

FEATURE – Brains

FEATURE: Reigniting the Brains trust

By Roger Protz, beer writer, journalist and campaigner

The famous chimney, with the word Brains emblazoned on the brick work, still stands proud alongside Cardiff Central Station.

On board: former PwC man Feargal O'Rourke was at the company for 37 years

C&C confident of meeting forecast, O'Rourke appointed

By Gary Lloyd

C&C Group, the Irish drinks distributor and manufacturer, has announced it remains confident of achieving its earnings expectations for its financial year and has appointed Feargal O’Rourke as an independent, non-executive director.

Brewing opinion: 'We must allow independent beer the opportunity to thrive' says Lincoln Green Brewing Company's Anthony Hughes

OPINION

A new dawn for independent beer?

By Anthony Hughes, director, Lincoln Green Brewing Company

Two articles in The Morning Advertiser recently caught my eye – Pete Brown’s piece on Marston’s sale of its stake in British brewing and Andy Slee’s (CEO for The Society of Independent Brewers, SIBA) article comparing cask ale as ‘Britain’s Champagne’....

Evolving environment: the MA has looked at key beer trends for 2024 (Credit:Getty/Atiwich Kaewchum)

Five beer styles to be aware of in 2024

By Felicity Giles

In the ever evolving environment of hospitality, expanding menu and beverage options may be key ways in which operators can maintain consumer interest, and ensure customer engagement remains high

Scheme return: the Beer Sommelier programme has been relaunched

Cask Marque relaunches Beer Sommelier programme

By Nikkie Thatcher

With support from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and Institute of Brewers and Distillers (IBD), Cask Marque has relaunched the Beer Sommelier programme.

Price hikes: Cost of a pint in a pub rises by 4.5% year-on-year (Credit:Getty/Klaus Vedfelt)

Pint prices jump by 4.5%

By Rebecca Weller

The cost of a pint of draught lager in pubs jumped 4.5% in the year to June 2024, marking the third biggest increase in the past five years.

Geographical issues: global brewers miss the point of a 'regional' offer says Andy Slee of SIBA

OPINION

OPINION: Give cask the chance it deserves

By Andy Slee, chief executive, Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA)

Pete Brown recently made some excellent points on Carlsberg’s change of approach to the UK beer market.

Perfect result: Pint sales exceed expectations by 56% during Euros 2024 semi-final (Credit:Getty/FG Trade)

EXCLUSIVE: 12.5m pints poured during Euros 2024 semi-final

By Rebecca Weller

Beer sales in pubs during the Euros semi-finals finished 56% higher than previously predicted with 12.5m pints poured during the 90-minute match, data from real time market intelligence firm Oxford Partnership has revealed.

New products: This week's round up features an on-trade exclusive from Seven Bro7hers

NEW PRODUCTS: EXCLUSIVE ON-TRADE RELEASE

Seven Bro7hers introduces fruity new beer for pubs

By Rebecca Weller

This week's round up features an on-trade exclusive from Seven Bro7hers alongside new products from Nirvana, Hooch, Greene King and more.

New deal: BBG to take over distribution of San Miguel in the UK from CMBC

BBG to take over San Miguel's UK distribution from CMBC

By Rebecca Weller

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company’s (CMBC) has shared its “disappointment” at Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I’s (BBG) new deal with Mahou San Miguel to distribute San Miguel in the UK.

Evolution rather than revolution: Simon Theakston

Profits and turnover rise at Theakston

By Gary Lloyd

Yorkshire-based brewer T&R Theakston has reported an 8% boost for its pre-tax profits in its annual report for the year ending 31 December 2023.

Price hikes: Lager costs up 4.6% YOY (Credit: Getty/Jack Andersen)

Pint prices jump 4.6% for second month in a row

By Rebecca Weller

The cost of a pint has increased by 4.6% for a second consecutive month, the latest year-on-year (YOY) figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

Organisation calls: CAMRA outlines six campaigning priorities in its election manifesto (image: Getty/Nirian)

CAMRA's key asks for next Government

By Felicity Giles

Fair tax for the sector, better planning protection and changing the business rates system are three of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)'s key asks ahead of the general election next month (4 July)

Drinks tracker: sales down year-on-year as heavy rain returned (Credit:Getty/Tim Parker)

Wet weather dampens drinks sales

By Rebecca Weller

After two weeks of year-on-year growth, wet weather has washed the positive figures away and pushed drinks sales back below 2023 levels.

Winner: Jamie Delap of Fyne Ales named Brewer of the Year 2024 by Alun Cairns MP, chair of the APPBG

APPBG names its Brewer of the Year

By Gary Lloyd

The All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) has named Jamie Delap of Fyne Ales as its 2024 Brewer of the Year.

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