UK Q3 beer sales show signs of recovery thanks to Rugby World Cup

UK beer sales went from strength to strength in the last quarter, largely thanks to the Rugby World Cup, according to the latest British Beer & Pub Association's quarterly Beer Barometer.

Sales in Q3 were up 3.9% on the same quarter last year, with off-trade sales rising by a significant 9% from July to September, leading to the highest ever Q3 sales. This marked a recovery from what the BBPA called "more challenging figures" in the first six months of the year, which have seen a 0.4% drop in annual sales overall, compared with 2014, and the overall falling beer trend in recent years.

On-trade sales did drop by 1.2%, although the long-term trend is for more stable volumes after years of sharp decline, according to the report.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds commented on the most recent quarter, saying: "Congratulations to Britain's brewers on a very strong quarter of sales in what is one of the UK's most vital manufactured goods. There is a real opportunity to build on these strong figures and secure future growth, with continued action to reduce beer duty."

She said she would encourage yet more positive action from the government, and would welcome further tax and duty cuts on beer and brewers in order to protect pubs and create jobs.

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