Beer

Opinion

'Back to normal’ no longer enough for pubs

26-Feb-2021 By Paul Davies, CEO, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company

Paul Davies, chief executive officer of Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC), outlines much-needed measures from the Chancellor’s Budget on 3 March to protect the future of the brewing, pub and hospitality industries.

Jodie Kidd implores Chancellor to slash beer duty to save pubs

17-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operator and model Jodie Kidd has implored Chancellor Rishi Sunak to slash beer duty in the Budget next month.

Chapel Down disposes of Curious Drinks to Risk Capital Partners

09-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

English winemaker Chapel Down has announced the disposal of its Curious Drinks business and assets, including the Curious Beer and Cider brands as well as the Curious Brewery and restaurant in Ashford, Kent.

Carlsberg predicts 'dramatic surge' in demand

08-Feb-2021 By MCA Insight

Carlsberg's CEO is expecting a surge in demand this summer similar to a boom seen a century ago as more people are vaccinated and lockdowns lift, according to reports in The Financial Times.

87m pints of beer wasted since start of pandemic

05-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Up to 87m pints of beer may have been wasted, costing the industry £331m, since the coronavirus crisis began.

Brixton Brewery fully acquired by Heineken

02-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Drinks giant Heineken has acquired Brixton Brewery in full having purchased a minority stake in the south-London beermaker three years ago.

Parliamentary pub sales top £280,000 in 2020 with £20k spent since lockdown one

01-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Wet sales across the Parliamentary Estate’s pub and bars since the UK's first national lockdown totalled more than £20,000 – with many drink prices found beneath both on-trade averages and those of nearby sites.

Big Interview

‘The UK has been the example at times of how not to support the hospitality sector’

28-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Searching ‘can dogs get Covid-19’ on Google yields about 3.2bn results. But rather than sift through them all, The Morning Advertiser spoke to David McDowall for a case study of BrewDog’s pandemic symptoms.

Big brewers ‘deferring annual beer price hike’

27-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Most brewers are postponing beer price increases until later in the year, The Morning Advertiser (MA) can reveal.

New product round-up

Israel’s ‘first whisky’ lands in UK, Big Drop unveils Nordic brews, Beavertown launches High Priestess

22-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

An international flavoured new product round-up features new brews created in tandem with beer makers in Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as new distribution deals for an Israeli whisky and a Danish spirit maker.

Pubs need to reopen when shops do, says Admiral Taverns boss

20-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

There is no reason for pubs to remain closed until May, the chief executive of Admiral Taverns has said.

MP joins calls for takeaway booze ban U-turn

19-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

An MP has echoed calls of trade bodies urging the Government reverses its decision to ban pubs serving takeaway alcohol.

Festive freefall sees pub and bar takings plummet by more than 80%

15-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker has revealed the dire consequences of December’s Covid restrictions and enforced closures for hospitality sales.

New product round-up

January brews: Marston’s, West Berkshire Brewery and Signature Brew announce more pours

15-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

This week’s new product round-up includes a low calorie pour from Marston’s, a low and no entry from Signature Brew and a new partnership for West Berkshire Brewery.

BrewDog offering 4 beers for free to everyone in UK

11-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog is giving everyone in the UK a free four pack of its Lost Lager as part of the launch of the new brew.

Hogs Back Brewery offers up space for drive-through vaccine centre

11-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Hogs Back Brewery has joined the likes of BrewDog, Oakman Inns and Loungers in offering the UK's vaccination effort a shot in the arm by suggesting that the NHS use its facilities to store and distribute Covid-19 jabs.

new product round-up

BrewDog launches Elvis AF, Phillip Schofield adds to wine range

08-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The first new product round-up of 2021 includes another low and no twist on a BrewDog staple and TV’s Phillip Schofield adding a second wine to his growing range.

Innis & Gunn signs distribution and sales deal, with C&C taking 8% share

07-Jan-2021 By Nicholas Robinson

Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn has signed a new long-term sales and distribution deal with manufacturer C&C to sell its beers in the UK and Ireland.

Pubs shouldn't turn into off-licences, supermarkets free to sell alcohol

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has said pubs should not try to “repurpose” themselves so they can sell alcohol to customers on-site while supermarkets face no additional rules.

Operators 'should be extremely careful' with delivery locations

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Deliveries from pubs should only be to fixed addresses, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has confirmed to The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Brains brewery may be relocated to England

06-Jan-2021 By MCA Insight

Brains beer may be relocated to England due to a failure to find a buyer for the iconic Welsh brewery business, ITV News reports.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

Either 'pretty damn brave, or very foolhardy’ to launch a brewery during an international crisis

31-Dec-2020 By Russ Clarke, Amity Brew Co

Though West Yorkshire-based brewer Russ Clarke describes 2020 as ‘a dumpster fire’, it was also the year he fulfilled a dream by opening his own brewery.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

Hugo Boss battle ‘a great source of empowerment and determination’

28-Dec-2020 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

While 2020 has been punctuated by restrictions, setbacks, tragedy and loss according to Boss Brewery director Sarah John, there have also been positive moments she will look back on fondly.

39 million fewer pints to be sold in pubs this Christmas

23-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

This Christmas is set to be the quietest on record for pubs with 39m fewer pints and 5m fewer Christmas dinners to be served amid the coronavirus restrictions across the nation.

£2.6bn pub sales nosedive predicted during December

21-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

New data from pay-at-table app OrderPay has revealed that potential sales of at least £2.6bn will be lost during December under the latest raft of Government-mandated trading restrictions and business closures.

December beer sales set to be 90% lower than ‘normal’

14-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Beer sales in pubs are expected to be 90% lower than ‘normal’ this month – a drop of 270m pints, one trade association has estimated.

Pub sales plummet 84% on first post-lockdown weekend

10-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

A British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) survey suggests that more than half of operators expect to close pubs that re-opened after England’s second national lockdown if trade doesn’t improve in the coming weeks.

lockdown live

Pubs hit by tier four closures in 'longest winter in living memory'

02-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

As pubs adapt to new coronavirus measures, The Morning Advertiser will bring you the latest updates and reaction on this live blog.

Tier 2 ‘not fair on customers or owners’ of wet-led pubs

01-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

One tier two operator has described his disappointment over being unable to reopen his "proper locals' pub" after lockdown.

The Drinks List

Camden Hells pips Punk IPA as craft best seller amid £100m category hit

30-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

The overall value of the ten best-selling craft beers in the UK on-trade plummeted by £105.8m in the past 12 months – with 130,742 hectolitres, or around 23m pints, fewer poured.

The Drinks List

The Drinks List – Top Brands to Stock in 2021

27-Nov-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Despite being closed for four months, facing strict curfews, tier systems and enduring a second national lockdown, drinks sales in the on-trade were strong when the sector was open.

Former pubco pair pump funds into revamped Hofmeister

17-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Two pub industry veterans have invested in revived beer brand Hofmeister, which they believe is in line to be one of the UK’s most popular pours in the next five years.

BrewDog secures £25m CBILS boost

16-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog has secured a £25m financial spur through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) in a bid to endure the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Brewers call for more support ahead of return to tiers 'disaster'

13-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Brewers have called tier three measures a “real disaster” and called for more evidence to justify the tough rules imposed on pubs.

More low and no options in Parliament pubs would keep MPs on their ‘A game’

11-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Mindful drinking movement Club Soda and a number of low and no-alcohol drink makers have written to the House of Commons’ speaker to encourage the Westminster estate's bars to stock more alcohol-free drinks after he called time on Parliamentary pints.

Sponsored by Heineken

How much could upskilling bar staff during lockdown boost pub profits?

10-Nov-2020 By The Morning Advertiser

While skipping keg day and ignoring pour form can leave profits languishing in drip trays, a renewed focus on staff training while venues are closed can help publicans boost their bottom line at a time when it matters most.

Pubs slashing ale pint prices to less than £1

03-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) and Stonegate Pub Company have cut prices of real ale to under £1 in a bid to throw as little beer away as possible during the second lockdown.

AB InBev sees volume sales rise

29-Oct-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Global beer brand AB InBev saw total volume sales increase by 1.9% in the third quarter of this year, with own beer volumes up by 2.6%.

BrewDog smashes £7.5m crowdfunding target in 6 weeks

28-Oct-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog has hit its initial crowdfunding target of £7.5m for its Equity for Punks Tomorrow scheme, which launched in September.

Small brewers pay 50x more in rates than global beer firms

28-Oct-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Independent small brewers can be paying as much as fifty times more per pint in business rates compared to international beer brands, new research has found.

New product round-up

Dame Vera Lynn tribute ale, alcohol-free Guinness, Untappd birthday brew and LGBTQ charity collaboration

23-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

New brews from the likes of Guinness, Bedlam, Greene King and Beavertown comprise a beer-heavy new product round-up this week.

Guinness launches no-alcohol Guinness 0.0

22-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

The brewers at Guinness’ St James’s Gate home in Dublin have today (22 October) unveiled new no-alcohol, low calorie, serve Guinness 0.0.

New product round-up

Coors Light rebrand, new gin to raise funds for hospitality sector, Madrí Excepcional UK launch

16-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Amid a swathe of spirit launches, Molson Coors Beverage Company announced the rebrand of Coors Light and UK launch of Madrí Excepcional, while a new not-for-profit gin brand launched to raise funds for the UK's embattled hospitality sector.

CMA clears £780m Marston’s and Carlsberg joint venture

09-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

The Competition and Markets Authority has approved the proposed joint venture between Marston’s and Carlsberg’s brewing operations.

Pubs missing out on more than £47m of beer sales due to curfew

02-Oct-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs across the nation could stand lose £47,532,015 for each week they are subject to the 10pm curfew, research has uncovered.

New product round-up

Iron Maiden, 99 Luftballons and Netflix star drink launches revealed

02-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Heavy metal band Iron Maiden has released its latest Day of the Dead pour in tandem with Robinsons Brewery, while Signature Brewery has created an Oktoberfest serve named after an iconic German language single.

New product round-up

Shipyard, Grolsch, Thatchers draft on-trade launches

25-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

Shipyard, Grolsch and Thatchers have lined up new brews to help them tap into the on-trade while new sparkling mead, banana rum and English vermouth launches have also hit the market.

Grolsch makes UK return

21-Sep-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Grolsch will return to the UK on-trade after its 35-year presence here ended last November.

New product round-up

BrewDog launches ‘world’s strongest beer’, new craft brewer launches fungi-based range

18-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

Scottish craft beer maker BrewDog has created a new 57.8% pour, South Devon-based Salcombe Distilling Co has teamed up with two-Michelin starred chef Niall Keating, and a new brewer has created a range of craft beers using adaptogenic mushrooms.

BrewDog kicks off final Equity for Punks crowdfund to boost sustainability drive

15-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

Scottish craft brewer and bar operator BrewDog has launched the last round of its record-breaking crowdfunding programme in a bid to bankroll new sustainability initiatives to the tune of £7.5m.