Spring 2010 was better than Xmas for take-home beer say BBPA stats

Sales of take-home beer in the second quarter of 2010 outstripped the last three months of the year for the first time, according to figures from the British Beer & Pub Association.

Unusually warm spring weather saw 3.9 million barrels sold between April and June, compared to 3.6 million barrels from October to December.

Off-trade volumes in the last quarter were down 1.3% on the same period in 2009.

Take-home beer sales for the whole of 2010 increased by 0.6% in 2010, to stand at 12.7 million barrels. The increase represents the halt of a three-year decline in the BBPA figures for take-home.

Pub beer sales dropped 7.5% in 2010 and the BBPA said rises in duty rates were to blame.

Chief executive Brigid Simmonds: “Beer has always been a rich revenue source for Government – but they may now be cooking the golden goose.”