Latest figures show continued growth for local brewers

7th August 2009, 9:57am

Latest sales figures from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) show continued growth for local beers, which have become one of the 'bright spots' in the UK beer market.

SIBA's Direct Delivery Scheme (DDS), which supplies a number of pubs with local ales brewed by SIBA members, recorded an 11.9% uplift in sales over the 12 months to end June 2009, compared to the same period last year.

Over the same period, the number of pubs buying beers through DDS grew by 5.8%, and sales per pub of DDS-supplied beers were up by 5.7%.

These figures stand in marked contrast to those for the overall UK beer market. Total UK beer sales dipped by 7.0%, and in the on-trade by 7.3%, in the 12 months to June 2009.

Julian Grocock, chief executive of SIBA, said: "Local ales are in growth because they satisfy consumer demand for food and drink with genuine provenance, low food miles and sustainable production. Despite the recession, this demand seems to be holding firm and an increasing number of pubs are realising that having at least one local ale on the bar is now a business 'need to do' rather than an optional 'nice to do'."

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