Local brews buck the recession

Published: 06 August, 2009

Sales of locally-produced ales are soaring in the on-trade, according to the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

The organisation recorded an 11.9% uplift in sales in the year to the end of June. through its direct delivery scheme, which supplies pubs with local ales made by its members.

The number of pubs buiying beer under the scheme rose 5.8% and average sales per pub were up 5.7%.

The figures contrast with those for the UK beer market as a whole, which have seen on-trade sales slip by 7.3% over the same time-frame, according to the British Beer & Pub Association, and come at a time when the BBPA claims 52 pubs a week are closing.

Julian Grocock, SIBA's chief executive, said: "Local ales in growth because they satisfy 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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