Beer-lovers rescue ailing hospitality business by downing extra 21m pints

CHEERS! Beer-lovers have come to the rescue of the ailing hospitality business — by heroically downing an extra 21million pints in three months.

That’s an industry-and job-saving 72,332 extra barrels compared with the same period last year.

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Punters in pubs and bars glugged a total of 1.6billion pints, making it the booziest start to the year since the pandemic.

Experts put it down to customers going out again rather than selfishly drowning their sorrows at home.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “After wine sales rose considerably during the pandemic, we’re back to enjoying beer in our favourite locals with two in every three drinks sold in a pub a beer.

“It’s only thanks to public support and Brits being beer lovers that many businesses are managing to stay afloat.”

According to the association’s Quarterly Beer Barometer, pint sales have risen by 42 per cent since the pandemic.

On-trade sales — those in pubs, bars and restaurants — have soared by eight per cent in the past year alone.

Emma added: “Now we’re back to socialising it’s natural Brits would choose to enjoy lower-strength drinks than those they had at home.

“But just because sales are rising again doesn’t change the fact our brewers are still facing challenges. High inflation is squeezing margins.”

Beer-lover Gareth Peters, 44, from Norwich, said he had “fallen back in love” with ale.

The garden centre worker went on: “When the pubs all closed in 2020 I stopped drinking beer as I like it on tap.

“I started on gin and tonics and red wine but I always missed a proper pint.

“It’s difficult to beat a pint in a beer garden. Wine and G&T just don’t cut it like a beer does.”