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Cask ale drinkers more valuable than wine buffs to pubs says report

Published:  24 September, 2015

Cask ale drinkers spend 63% more than wine fans in the nation's pubs according to the 2015 Cask Report.

The report says that the annual spend on food and drink in pubs by real ale drinkers amounts to £967, 48% higher than those beer drinkers who don't drink cask ale and 45% higher than spirits drinkers.

Report author Pete Brown said cask ale drinkers are "a lifeline" for many pubs.

He added: "It's not just the money they themselves are spending that makes these drinkers so important.

"It's also the fact that they bring other people with them.

"Our research shows that 70% of cask ale drinkers take the lead when deciding which pub to go to with a group of friends.

"So although till receipts may show cask beer to be a relatively small proportion of pubs' takings, it drives sales of other drinks, helping keep pubs profitable and open.

"The fact is people can drink wine, spirits and most beers more cheaply at home. But the only place they can get cask-conditioned beer is in the pub."

In 2014, 11,000 cask beers were produced by British brewers, according to the report. The number of pubs stocking seven or more real ales has risen from 4% to 12% since 2010.

The Cask Report is supported by the Cask Marque Trust, Camra and the Independent Family Brewers of Britain.

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