Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

More people trying new beer brands during lockdown survey reveals

Three months spent in lockdown has significantly shifted the way many are consuming beer in the UK, according to a new survey.

The study carried out by Brew//LDN and KAM Media, found that the majority of the 2,364 respondents have been drinking beer more frequently and sourcing from different channels.


An total of 46% of respondents bought beer direct from a brewer for the first-time during lockdown, while 87% said they plan to continue post-lockdown, signifying a potentially huge shift in off and on-trade sales.

Beer enthusiasts have also been pro-actively broadening their repertoire with 57% saying they are now more interested in searching out unique beers, while 47% said they’ve been seeking out more premium options.

Despite this, the actual number of beers being consumed has remained stable overall.

Katy Moses, managing director of KAM Media, said: “Lockdown has provided beer enthusiasts with the opportunity to develop their ‘hobby’ further by exploring new, unique and interesting beers.

“Many have not only increased their repertoire of beers, but they’ve also been sourcing them from new and different channels, such as direct from the brewer and online subscriptions.

“This change will only lead to a more discerning and demanding beer consumer and could ultimately impact where they source their beers from in the longer term.”

Increased social distancing during lockdown has seen 79% of respondents confirming they have consumed beer while ‘hanging out with friends online’.

More than one-in-two expect to continue doing this even when lockdown measures ease, offering an interesting new beer drinking occasion for the industry.

Daniel Rowntree, co-founder of Brew//LDN, said: “A new breed of beer enthusiast is emerging from lockdown. The challenge for brands and breweries is to ensure that they remain relevant to the customer across all elements of this mix, from traditional occasions in the pubs and tap rooms, to ‘at-home’ occasions, ‘Zoom nights’ to drinks in the park and more.”

The study also showed that a much higher proportion of ‘beer enthusiasts’ are now drinking nearly daily; with 19% said they drink more than six days a week.

At an average level, respondents have been drinking slightly more frequently - an extra two days a month – but consuming fewer beers per ‘session’ (-9%) meaning overall consumption has remained stable.

Support local breweries has also increased, with 79% saying they are more interested in supporting them since lockdown began.

“We carried out the research because we had a strong suspicion that beer drinkers had changed up their habits during lockdown,” said Rowntree. “We wanted to work with KAM to ensure the beer industry had the right insights and knowledge to react.

“We were really surprised by the extent to which beer enthusiasts - people who already really “know their beers” - have been switching things up. The impact on the beer industry, on retail and the on-trade as lockdown eases will be significant.”

To access the free report in full visit www.brewldn.com/tradeinfo

More for you

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

Local shops will face significant new pressures as a result of today’s Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget's impact will be felt unevenly across the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores, with some measures such as business rate relief and the increased employment allowance mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office cash deposits and withdrawals
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services

Parliament to launch inquiry into Post Office Horizon scandal compensation delays

Parliament is to launch an inquiry into delays in compensation settlements for sub postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

The newly-formed Business and Trade Select Committee will call ministers, subpostmasters and their lawyers to give evidence next week with a second session to follow in mid-November. The Committee’s chair, Liam Byrne MP told ITV News that there was “definitely a delay” in people coming forward for payment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less