SALES of Caffrey's Irish Ale produced at its brewery in Belfast are continuing to experience rapid growth. Sales soared more than 65 per cent to a record 220,000 barrels in the 28 weeks to April, making the brand the top selling premium ale in the British market. Half year sales were only 50,000 barrels short of the 270,000 barrels sold in the year to the end of last September.
The Caffrey's sales figures were disclosed yesterday by the Bass hotels to brewing combine in comment on interim figures showing a 9.9 per cent increase in pre tax profit to £289 million on turnover up 12.5 per cent. The interim dividend is up 8.5 per cent.
Operating profits of the Bass Brewers' division, taking in Caffrey's, rose 9.2 per cent to £72 million. Turnover rose nearly 11 per cent to £903 million, despite flat British markets where beer volumes increased only 1.5 per cent.
The board, chaired by Sir Ian Prosser, emphasises the important role played by the sales growth of Caffrey's at premium margins and the comparatively strong performance of the group's brewing division.
The ale is now available in over 15,000 outlets in Britain and has recently been introduced in the Republic through 300 outlets in the greater Dublin area. A new £3 million brewhouse was opened at the Northern Ireland brewery last week to provide additional capacity to support the growth of the brand.
