UK loses taste for InBev lager

By SCOTT REID
Published on 01/08/2012 00:00

The brewing giant behind Beck’s and Stella Artois has suffered a double-digit slide in UK lager volumes after losing out to cut-price deals by rivals.

AB InBev, the world’s biggest brewer, said the wet weather between April and June left beer drinkers less thirsty than usual and contributed to a decline in volumes across the industry. Its own UK lager volumes fell by 10 per cent.

Beck’s and Stella lost share to rivals in the quarter, as shoppers switched from bottles to cheaper deals on cans, although another core InBev brand, Budweiser, was boosted by its recent sponsorship of the FA Cup.

The declines in lager were partly offset by a 20 per cent rise in sales of Stella Artois Cidre. A pear-flavoured version is set to boost the brand’s prospects.