Top Brews for 2020
When it comes to looking at what brands to stock this year, and up-and-coming trends, reliable data is the key. And within the on-trade, there isn’t a more trusted source of information than CGA. Here are their top picks for 2020 that could make a real difference to your bar sales.
Mainstream lager
Carling still dominates, outselling Fosters and Carlsberg combined. However, the decision to rebrand Carlsberg to Carlsberg Danish Pilsner has helped to raise perceptions with consumers. The fastest growing brands to watch are: Coors Light – up 10.9% in volume, followed by Amstel at 9.9%. Also in volume growth are Heineken Premium, Stella Artois and Peroni Nastro Azzurro, up 3.1%, 2.7% and 2.4% respectively. Finally, whilst still not quite at the volumes of these brands, don’t ignore Birra Moretti who, with a sales volume up 38.7% is gaining ground rapidly.
Craft beer
A volume rise of 19.7% sees Brewdog Punk IPA maintain their number one position in this small, but growing and extremely vocal, sector. Catching up though are Camden Hells Lager – up 37.9% and Camden Town Pale Ale – up 40.8%, followed in total volume terms by Marston’s Shipyard and Blue Moon. Beavertown Neck Oil Session IPA saw volume sales up an incredible 156.5%.
Cask
Sharp’s Doom Bar has continued to dominate the cask ale market, followed by Greene King IPA and Fuller’s London Pride. Greene King Abbot Ale and Timothy Taylor Landlord saw volumes up 25.7% and 11.7% respectively. On the local brew scene, Ruddles and Wainwrights have maintained their volumes, which is a great achievement in this sector.
Low and no-alcohol lager
Interest in and demand for low and no-alcohol brews is well documented, and in the sector Beck’s Blue is still the top seller, showing 3.8% volume growth. But, coming up fast is Heineken 0.0. with sales volumes up an incredible 123.1% so that just 3198 HL separates the two. With that level of growth, will we see a new market leader this year? Behind this battle, the next three best selling brands by volume are San Miguel 0,0 – up 27.7%, Erdinger Alcoholfrei – up 11.9% and Bavaria 0.0% up 43.2%, so all definitely worth stocking.
Cider
Strongbow dominates this sector with Strongbow and Strongbow Dark Fruit selling over a million HL in the period, contrasting to sales of 305,996 HL by the third largest player in the category, Thatchers Gold. Magners Original was up 5.4% and the cider showing strongest growth is Carling Black Fruit Cider, up 138.3%.
