Cider sales see Beamish sales go flat

SCOTTISH & Newcastle Plc, the biggest brewers in Britain and owners of Beamish and Crawford, posted flat 2003 profits yesterday.

Cork-based Beamish and Crawford had to contend with a fall of 6.2% in the entire beer and cider market in the Republic of Ireland.

Sales of all beer and cider brands in pubs fell by almost 9%, but the off licence trade, which accounts for 15% of the overall market, grew by 11.5%, with lager in particular up 17%.