Beer ‘Comfortably Remained’ Ireland’s Favourite Alcohol Beverage In 2018

By Publications Checkout
Beer ‘Comfortably Remained’ Ireland’s Favourite Alcohol Beverage In 2018

A new report from the Irish Brewers Association (IBA), has found that beer held a 45% market share in 2018, making it the nation’s favourite alcoholic beverage last year.

The 2018 Beer Market Report added that total beer sales increased by 3% in 2018, despite just a 0.4% growth in consumption per capita.

The report suggested that sales were boosted by an increase in both employment and disposable income.

It also cited a 3.8% increase in beer production last year as a driver of growth, as direct employment in the brewing sector rose by 3% last year.

Beer Growth

In terms of the market share of beer variants, lager saw the biggest growth in its market share, increasing to 63.8%.

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Stout’s market share dropped from 32.2% to 29.3% while ale’s share fell marginally to 6.3%.

Non-alcoholic beer sales rose by 60% and currently has a 0.6% market share.

Jonathan McDade, Head of the Irish Brewers Association, welcomed the growth in beer sales, adding that the brewing sector continues to make a significant contribution to the exchequer.

He also called on the Government to assist the industry by reducing excise on beer in the forthcoming budget.

“In 2018 beer contributed €430 million to the exchequer in excise alone, an increase on the 2017 figure of €424 million,” McDade explained.

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“Irish beer drinkers continue to pay the second-highest rate of excise on beer in the European Union. In 2012 and 2013, beer excise rates rose by 42% which means that since 2009 the brewing sector has contributed €3.8 billion to the exchequer in excise alone."

© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.

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