Beer boost for Greene King in UK

Pubs and brewing group Greene King today toasted buoyant beer sales as the firm said it was on track to meet full-year profits targets.

The company said own-brewed beers Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale enjoyed double-digit growth in the 17 weeks to August 26, with a 10% rise for Hardys & Hansons.

Despite the wet summer and the introduction of England’s smoking ban in July, like-for-like sales across Greene King’s managed pubs estate – which includes the Hungry Horse chain – were up 2% after discounting the impact of last year’s World Cup.

The group’s tenanted pubs also increased like-for-like sales by 1% despite the difficult trading conditions.

The company said: “Profit expectations for the full year remain unchanged, despite recent unseasonal weather.”