Fuller's ales are becoming worldwide favourites

BREWER and pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner reported a surge in exports after beer fans in countries including Canada and the United States developed a thirst for British ales.

The company - which makes beers including London Pride, ESB and Honeydew at London's historic Griffin brewery - posted a 16 per cent rise in exports, with one-in-seven of its beer barrels now shipped to 62 countries overseas.

Fullers said it is investing 4.5 million in new facilities at its brewery to meet growing demand for bottled beers at home and abroad.

The exports and a strong performance from its 162 managed pubs division helped the company report a 10 per cent rise in underlying profits to 29.3m in the year to 2 April, on revenues up 6 per cent to 241.9m.

Argentina was one of nine countries to start receiving exports from Fullers over the past year. Japan and Russia are also among a growing list of nations that have developed a taste for Fuller's ales.

But own-brewed volumes were down 4 per cent in the UK, reflecting the "damaging" levels of alcohol duty, with the rest of the beer market falling at an even faster rate.

The company grew its market share in the UK with the help of a London Pride advertising campaign featuring Top Gear presenter James May.