The barometer shows that pub beer sales are down 4.3% from July to September — equivalent to 45 million fewer pints sold over the quarter compared with 2010.
However, total beer sales are up 1.6% as supermarkets and off-licences reported growth on the same period as last year.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds blamed the fall in pub beer sales on the government’s “misguided tax escalator policy”.
“It is good to see some growth in the beer market overall, and we are seeing some new pubs opening, with successful operators innovating, and broadening their offer to consumers,” said Simmonds.
“However, there is no doubt that pubs continue to bear the brunt of Britain’s punitive tax policies on beer. We’ve seen Beer Tax rise by 35 per cent since March 2008, with Britons now paying an astonishing 40 per cent of all the beer taxes collected in the entire European Union. This is still shutting pubs and costing jobs, in a sector that could create growth in the economy.
“We know that given the right tax and regulatory environment we can grow the sector, hiring more staff, adding to the nation’s wealth and maintaining our proud pub heritage. We certainly don’t need the further beer tax rises the Government is planning under a misguided tax escalator policy. Instead, we want to welcome everyone to support their local pub and play their part in their local community.”
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