At last, summer's here to turn
up the heat on beer volumes
By Tony Halstead
Soaring July temperatures have seen brewers step up beer production to meet extra demand from pubs across the UK.
Brewers Scottish Courage and Coors revealed a surge in lager and cider volumes as the mercury almost hit 30°C in many parts of the country.
Pub operators have reported buoyant trading, notably in venues with outdoor facilities. However, on-trade sales across the board have been positive.
Liverpool brewer Robert Cain said lager sales through its leased pub estate had been up a staggering 41% over the past fortnight.
The company has also increased production of contract-brewed lager, which it supplies to supermarkets and the off-trade.
Manchester brewer Hydes, which produces Harp Lager on licence for Diageo, also said business had been boosted over the past three weeks.
'It's been a great two or three weeks when wet sales through our pubs have been excellent, not only of Harp but our own pilsner, said marketing director David Safiruddin.
Lancashire brewer Moor-house's confirmed the lager trend but added that sales of cask beers, normally in decline in mid-summer, had held up well.
National pub operator JD Wetherspoon said the good weather had brought mixed trading results.
'Obviously our pubs with outdoor gardens and patios have done very well, but conversely outlets without these facilities have not been quite as busy, said operations director Nathan Wall.
'Generally we find that where there is a prolonged spell of very hot weather people do not always head for the pub and find other things to do.
Coors Brewers, producers of Carling, said it had coped with soaring demand over the past few weeks.
'The £35m investment at our Burton Brewery has helped us ensure we can cope with peak demands such as hot summers, said a spokesman.
Licensees throughout the UK are now pinning their hopes on more good weather as the main holiday season approaches next month.
Weather forecasters say high pressure will dominate the first fortnight of August with high temperatures, particularly in the south, which could lead to a number of thundery showers.
