Sales at Heineken Ireland increased slightly in the first half of the year amid an overall slump in beer sales in the Republic. Sales of the company's four brands - Amstel, Heineken, Coors Light and Murphys - were up 0.2 per cent, as sales of beer generally fell 5 per cent.
The company said its draught sales outperformed the market and the recent introduction into pubs of Coors Light draught had pushed up sales.
Sales in the off-trade sector grew by 3.7 per cent, with Heineken performing strongly, said the company. Amstel continued to grow with the support of its association with the UEFA Champions' League Campaign.
Mr Nico Vervelde, managing director, Heineken Ireland, said: "I am glad to say that Heineken Ireland has increased its share in the beer market for the first six months of 2003.
"While the beer market is experiencing a decline, Heineken Ireland sales were above last year, thereby strongly outperforming this highly competitive market."
Meanwhile, rival Interbrew published half-year results showing sales rising by 4.5 per cent. In Ireland, Interbrew is the parent company of Tennents Ireland.
The managing director of Tennents Ireland, Mr Liam Meaney, said the performance in Ireland was "exceptional".
He said volumes would grow by a third this year driven by Stella and Becks, two brands acquired last year.
