This report examines the UK market for ales and stouts. This is an area that has been in a long-term decline, and volume sales have continued to fall since the time of Mintel’s last report on the market, in May 2004. The rate of decline has, however, slowed since the beginning of the decade and 2005 saw a return to value growth for the first time since the late 90s, buoyed by a raft of new product launches over the last two years, particularly in the premium ale sector.

This report examines the UK market for ales and stouts. This is an area that has been in a long-term decline, and volume sales have continued to fall since the time of Mintel’s last report on the market, in May 2004. The rate of decline has, however, slowed since the beginning of the decade and 2005 saw a return to value growth for the first time since the late 90s, buoyed by a raft of new product launches over the last two years, particularly in the premium ale sector.

While this is undoubtedly good news for the industry, brewers are still struggling to broaden the appeal of the category to attract new consumers, which is likely to have negative implications for the long-term success of the market.