Brewers call for more State support to survive extended pub lockdown

Irish beer sales and exports have taken a hit from the pub trade being largely closed for the past 13 months.

Irish brewing companies are calling for increased financial support to allow them survive the extended closure of the pub and hospitality sector due to the Covid restrictions.

The closure of the hospitality sector for the bulk of 2020 resulted in a 17% drop in beer sales – which are predominantly on-trade reliant – last year, with the value of beer exports from Ireland falling from €305m to €254m.