City brewer raises a glass to Swedish sales

A BEER company based in the Capital has recorded a surge in sales, led by its performance in Sweden.

The Innis & Gunn Brewing Company achieved its best first quarter of trading in its seven-year history, with turnover rising by 21 per cent to 908,000.

The firm, which secured a listing in Sweden's alcohol retail monopoly, Systembolaget, in 2008, recorded a 55 per cent increase in sales in the Scandinavian nation in the first three months of its financial year.

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Dougal Sharp, managing director of Innis & Gunn, said: "Our first-quarter performance has surpassed our most optimistic expectations with our UK on-trade focus now starting to pay real dividends. In Sweden, we have narrowed the gap considerably on the number one import, Newcastle Brown Ale, which is a fantastic achievement.

"The Swedes are very discerning beer drinkers who appreciate different styles. We regularly release limited edition products to build on the relationships we have with our consumers and this year we are introducing an IPA to the Swedish market."

Turnover to the end of 2009 stood at 4.39million, with half of sales coming from abroad.