450m more pints sold in 2022 first quarter vs 2021

Some 1,565,300,000 pints of beer were sold in the UK from January to March 2022, a 40% increase on the year before due to ridding of Covid measures in pubs on 19 July 2021, but still down 4% on 2019 trading, the last year before the pandemic.

The data comes in time for Beer Day Britain, an annual national day celebrating beer, and a time when people across the country are encouraged to raise a toast and #CheersToBeer at 7pm.

Rising costs

BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said it was “brilliant” to see beer sales were up again after a tough two years for pubs and brewers, with the data clearly showing many had missing having a beer at their local during the pandemic.

“However,” she added, “even as sales start to rise again, our industry is facing enormous pressures with costs rising, supply chain issues and a staffing crisis, so this Beer Day Britain we hope people will take a trip to their local pub and raise a toast to the nation’s favourite drink.”

Brewers and pubs endured a difficult time over the successive Covid lockdowns, and despite the increase in sales compared to last year, are still struggling to keep their heads above water amidst the cost-of-living crisis. As a result, man have not returned to the same profitability of 2019 despite sales rising.

Climbing costs

Beer Day Britain collides with rising alcohol costs, with the average cost of a pint of beer increasing by almost three quarters (70%) since 2008, with a pint in London costing more than £8, research has revealed.​

From 2021 to 2022, the price rose by 15p – one of the largest increases since 2008. However, in 2012 and 2013, the average cost also rose by 15p (from £2.59 in 2011 to £2.79 in 2012 then to £2.89 in 2013).

This CGA research comes after a warning pints in London could reach £7​ each earlier in the year (January).