BBPA research reveals beer as Britain’s favourite alcoholic drink

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has published its 2019 Statistical Handbook, which confirms beer as the country’s favourite alcoholic drink.

The confirmation from BBPA follows an analysis conducted using the data provided by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Research indicates that in the UK in 2018, 48,559,000hl of beer were sold.

During the same period, 12,901,700hl of wine and 6,804,000hl of cider were also sold across the country.

The BBPA also found that 100 breweries opened across the UK last year, increasing the number to 2,530.

BBPA, however, claims beer is overtaxed, despite being the favourite.

British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “It is clear from these numbers that beer is the most popular alcoholic drink but it is without doubt overtaxed. In fact, we pay 11 times more beer tax than Germany or Spain. Because the public finances assume an RPI increase every year, we also face another tax hike on top of that in the next budget.

“Should tax on a pint continue to rise, then drinking in the pub will no longer be affordable for many British beer drinkers, meaning pubs will continue to close. This is why we are backing the Long Live the Local campaign, calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax and support local pubs.”