Brewer’s good cheer for pint drinkers

BREWER Beamish & Crawford put pressure on rivals yesterday by announcing a price freeze for the remainder of the year.

The strategic move comes after other brewers increased prices as total beer sales in Ireland fell by 11.5% in the first four months of the year. The Cork-based brewer of Beamish Stout has not upped the price of its flagship drink since march of 2003.

Sales of draught beer and cider have fallen by 11.5% in the first four months of this year in pubs, according to figures from the Irish Brewers’ Association. The drop was 15% in Dublin.

In recent days other brewers have increased drink prices with Heineken, Guinness, Smithwicks, Carlsberg, Harp, Budweiser and Bulmers all set to rise. The costs of the pint is expected to jump by 10 cents after pubs add 4 cents to the brewers increase, with VAT making up the rest.

Beamish & Crawford’s products include Beamish Stout; Miller Genuine Draught; Foster’s Lager; Kronenbourg 1664; Carling and Beamish Red Ale.

The Beamish strategy is delivering results as it is the only Irish stout that increased sales in the past 12 months. Drinkers of Beamish & Crawford’s other draught brands can now enjoy their beer at existing prices until 2006.

Beamish & Crawford managing director Alf Smiddy said that against a background of an unprecedented 11.5% decline in sales of draught beer in the first four months of 2005, it is imperative that suppliers do everything to assist customers and consumers.

“By freezing our prices in 2005 we are enabling our customers to hold theirs, and hopefully beer drinkers will recognise and respond to the efforts of both Beamish & Crawford and the On Trade throughout the country.”

Seamus O’Donoghue, president, Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, said: “Yet again, Beamish & Crawford have clearly demonstrated their commitment to the On-Trade sector, to publican and consumer alike, by freezing their prices until 2006.”