The latest British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) Beer Barometer reveals sales in the second quarter of the year increased 2.9 per cent on 2009, representing the first like-for-like quarterly rise in four years.
Overall, more than 2.2 billion pints were sold between April and June, which was, the best sales performance since the fourth quarter of 2008.
Pub beer sales were down 6.3 per cent year-on-year, although compared to the first three months of 2010, 166 million more pints were sold, which is the first rise since the second quarter of 2009.
However, it was the supermarkets that enjoyed the biggest boost with sales up 13.7 per cent, and year-on-year sales currently ahead by 4.4 per cent.
Turning the corner
Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: “The World Cup has certainly been a benefit to Britain’s beer sector and we can now hope the market has turned the corner.
“However, while there is some reason for cheer, it has to be noted that beer sales in pubs are still falling and the nation’s pubs need support.
The government must carefully consider how best to use its review of alcohol taxation to rebalance the tax system, freeze beer tax and support Britain’s pubs, recognising the economic and social contribution of these vital community assets.”