Beer sales down '1.6 million pints a day'

'On-trade' beer sales have fallen 10.6 % since last year, the Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said.

Pubs, bars and restaurants sold an average of 1.6 million fewer pints per day between April and June, according to the UK Quarterly Beer Barometer.

"Beer sales in pubs are now at their lowest level since the Great Depression of the 1930s," said BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward. "They are down seven million pints a day from the height of the market in 1979."

Total beer sales in 2007 were 3.9% down on the year before. However, alcohol sales from supermarkets and shops rose by 3.8% from April to June 2007.

"Supermarkets do not rely on alcohol sales to make profit," Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) spokesman Jon Howard told More Than Business news. "This has seen them on a few occasions selling beer cheaper than water. This is both a moral issue, and an issue affecting pub profits."

"However, this year's beer tax price hike has hit the industry hardest, with consumers experiencing up to 20p a pint price increase. To boost Government coffers, beer tax will rise 2% above inflation rate for the next 4 years, and consumers are currently paying the highest beer tax in the EU."