Summer heat hits Guinness sales

GUINNESS has blamed warm weather and fewer people going to bars for a fall-off in sales of the black stuff.

The brewer said volume sales of Guinness fell by 9% in the six months to end December as demand was hit by the hottest summer in 10 years. After deducting excise duty, sales were down 2% over the period.

Spokesman Michael Patten said: “Guinness did very well over Christmas and is slightly ahead of monthly target going into the new year. We had a dip through the summer period, and we are clawing it back but it is taking time.”