FDBusiness.com

The Irish Brewers Association (IBA), the representative voice for the brewing industry in Ireland, has released its annual Beer Market Report for Ireland, which shows that production in the sector is up 6%.  It is the first time since 2011 that beer production in Ireland has risen.  Irish beer exports are up 16% and are valued at over €265 million with 43% of beer produced Ireland being exported.  The craft beer sector revolution is continuing at a pace with an estimated 2% of total beer market share in 2015, up from 1.2% in 2014.

Beer remains Ireland’s most popular alcoholic drink, with a 47% market share, a trend that has remained steady for the past five years.  The report looks at consumption across the various types of beer – lager, stout and ale. It shows that a higher percentage of consumers are drinking stout (up from 31.1% to 33.4%) and ale (up from 5.9% to 6.2%).

The Irish Brewers Association is calling on the Government to support the sector by reducing the excise burden.  Excise in Ireland has gone up 42% in the past four years.  Currently, Ireland has the third highest excise on beer in the EU as well as the most expensive alcohol in Europe.

Jonathan McDade, Head of the Irish Brewers Association, says: “The Irish Brewers Association’s new report highlights the important role that the brewing sector has in supporting the Irish economy.  Beer production is up, exports are up, direct employment remains steady and the sector continues to contribute enormously to the exchequer, particularly through excise. Even though consumption in Ireland has fallen marginally, (by 2%) beer remains Ireland’s favourite beverage with 47% market share.”

He adds: “Irish consumers pay the third highest rates of excise on beer in the European Union, eleven times greater than beer drinkers in Germany.  Excise is a tax on jobs, tourism and the hospitality sector and we call on the government to reduce excise on Ireland’s hard pressed consumers. The real success story of the Irish brewing sector is its exports, with a 16% value increase compared to 2014.  Ireland already boasts to produce some of the worlds most popular and iconic beer brands and it is encouraging that Irish beer remains so popular in other markets.”

The recovery in Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sectors is also reflected in the report.  In 2015, 67.3% of beer was purchased in a licenced premises compared to an off-licence outlet. This is up from 63.3% in 2014.  This trend is clearly showing a recovery in Ireland’s pub trade.