News Release

Growth through recession for resilient local brewing industry

More good news for cask ale from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), who reported sales growth of nearly 4% in a year of deep recession, according to their annual Local Brewing Industry Report. Some 80% of SIBA members' production is cask ale.

SIBA also reported increased on-trade listings despite record pub closures, and investment in the equipment, staff and technology for brewery expansion, are highlighted in the annual Local Brewing Industry Report, published today by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

While the overall UK beer market declined by 4.2% last year1, the local brewing sector achieved an impressive 3.75% increase in volume sales. Three-quarters of all local brewers recorded volume growth in 2009 and on average, they achieved a 17% increase in turnover. And the number of pubs sourcing local beers through SIBA's direct delivery scheme (DDS) grew by 12% - a reflection of local cask ale's unique ability to help pubs weather the recessionary storm.

SIBA's chief executive Julian Grocock said, "Over 60% of our members were founded after 2000, so the current recession is the most severe they have traded through. That the vast majority managed a sales uplift last year and are anticipating the same in 2010 speaks volumes about the resilience and resourcefulness of the UK's quality independent brewers."

He continues, "Our success through the past few, exceptionally tough years, demonstrates that local ales are no passing fad, but a permanent asset that can offer a much-needed boost to the nation's troubled pub trade."

Source

1. British Beer & Pub Association's 'Beer Barometer' www.beerandpub.com

Wadworth to offer third-pints for Cask Ale Week

Wadworth is supporting National Cask Ale Week by offering customers in its managed houses the chance to try a third-pint of three different beers for the same price as a pint.

Marketing director Paul Sullivan said: "We produce a wide selection of real ales but beer drinkers know what they like, and will often stick to their favourite tried and tested varieties".

"With this special promotion we are offering beer drinkers the chance to try some new and different brews that they may have so far overlooked."

He added: "I think this is rather a continental idea. Think of it as beer tapas or a meze of ales - just a taster of each of our delicious flavours, to whet your appetite."

www.wadworth.co.uk/

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