UK beer sales rebounded strongly in quarter three, with a 3.9 per cent improvement on the same quarter in 2014, according to the latest figures from the British Beer & Pub Association’s quarterly Beer Barometer, published today.

Boosted by retailers stocking up in readiness for the Rugby World Cup, off-trade sales were astonishingly buoyant, rising by nine per cent from July to September, and recording the highest ever quarter three sales. Though on-trade sales showed a small decline of 1.2 per cent, the long term trend still shows stabilising volumes after years of sharp decline.

In terms of the annual trend, total beer sales are relatively stable, at 0.4 per cent below the previous twelve months, following more challenging figures in the first six months of the year.

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA Chief Executive comments:

“Congratulations to Britain brewers on a very strong quarter of sales in what is one of the UK’s most vital manufactured goods.

“There is a real opportunity to build on these strong figures and secure future growth, with continued action to reduce beer duty. Despite positive action from the Government, with three, one penny duty cuts in recent years, duty still places far too great a burden on British brewers and beer drinkers when compared to our main competitors in the European Union.

“With further tax cuts we can create jobs and protect pubs, where beer is the cornerstone of sales.”