Stout volumes up 26% 2020/’21
Stout’s recovery will have been further supported as all hospitality restrictions were removed earlier this year, with indications of a strong Summer behind us.
Domestic volume consumption of Stout recovered by 25.7% between 2020 and 2021 although this was still down by 10.3% compared to 2019’s pre-pandemic sales.
But recovery is now underway according to Drinks Ireland|Beer, the representative voice for the beer industry in Ireland, which released the latest data on the Stout sector to mark International Stout Day last Thursday.
In 2019 81% of Stout consumed was via the on-trade which was closed or severely restricted over much of 2020 and 2021.
The share of Stout consumed in the on-trade fell by 52.3% from 2019 to 2021 to just 39%, with 61% consumed via the off-trade last year. The volume of stout sales in the on-trade fell by 57.2% during this time.
Overall alcohol consumption declined during the pandemic in keeping with the general longer-term trend in Ireland reflecting a general fall in alcohol consumption, down by around 33% since 2001.
While the volume of Stout consumption declined, Stout actually grew its share of the beer market, with its percentage share of consumption up by 6.6% between 2019 and 2021. It also grew its percentage share of production, up by 5% during this time. However volume production was down by 50% between 2019 and 2021, from 5,298,320 Hectolitres to 2,652,804 Hl, reports Drinks Ireland|Beer.
While figures for the whole 2022 year aren’t yet available, Drinks Ireland|Beer notes that recovery in the beer sector was underway in the second half of 2021 as venues reopened.
This recovery will have been further supported as all hospitality restrictions were removed earlier this year, with indications of a strong Summer behind us.
“Irish stout is renowned the world over” said Jonathan McDade, Director of Drinks Ireland|Beer, “so it’s positive to see some of the recovery underway after two difficult years. Despite challenges in the market, such as inflationary and cost-of-living pressures, we hope to see a strong Winter ahead, particularly this Festive Season.
“There are a range of great options for stout drinkers in Ireland, with new products hitting the market in recent years, including non-alcoholic alternatives.”
