Beer consumption in the UK up for first time in four years

Warm weather and the World Cup is thought to be responsible for the 2.9 per cent increase of beer consumption in the UK.

Figures show the increase is the first like-for-like quarterly rise since the second quarter of 2006, according to the latest UK Quarterly Beer Barometer.

Pub beer sales were down 6.3 per cent on the same period last year.

Sales in supermarkets and shops rose by 13.7 per cent in the second quarter, with year-on-year sales also up by 4.4 per cent.

The beer market is down year on year by 1.4 per cent - a significant slowdown in the rate of decline and the best result since the second quarter of 2006.

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive officer Brigid Simmonds said: "The World Cup has certainly been a benefit to Britain's beer sector and we can now hope that the market is starting to turn a 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."