‘Worrying Irish trend’ as US beer edges local favourites in rankings

In news sure to send shockwaves through Cork, US beer Coors has overtaken local stouts Beamish and Murphys in terms of popularity.

The Hospitality Ireland National On-Trade Brand Rankings Report has proved that once again we still love a pint of plain, with Guinness the leading draught in Ireland.

Elsewhere, Irish products have suffered, with the biggest shock being Baileys no longer in the top 10 spirits of choice.

The report found that Guinness, Bulmers, Coca-Cola, Smirnoff, and Wolf Blass are each leaders in their field. However, it has been all change below them.

In what was described as a “worrying” Irish trend, Beamish has fallen below Coors in the draught listings, with Cidona and Baileys each dropping out of the top 10 soft drinks and spirits, respectively.

Meanwhile, Huzzar vodka was the biggest loser among those ranked, dropping three places in the spirits list to eighth.

It is not all bad news, however, as four Irish drinks remain in the top 10 draughts, with Bulmers (sixth) still well ahead of the faltering Beamish (eighth) and Murphys (ninth).

Smirnoff is again our favourite spirit, but the Irish influence is felt heavily in this area. Jameson is second and Powers fourth, Cork Dry Gin up one place to sixth, with Hennessy in third. Captain Morgan (seventh) and Jägermeister (10th) pushed Jack Daniel’s and Baileys out of favour.

Pushing Bulmers close in the packaged section was Coors Light, which has overtaken Budweiser in second. West Coast Cooler’s new showing in seventh has pushed Guinness to eighth and knocked out alcopop rival Bacardi Breezer.

Meanwhile, in the soft drinks rankings, Finches’ rise to ninth and Sprite’s new entry below pushed Cidona out of the top 10.