Scots are raising their glasses – and it’s full of beer

Scotland’s favourite alcoholic drink is beer, according to a new survey.

The craft beer revolution is one that has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, reinvigorating the pub industry and bolstering the hospitality sector.

Statistics show that craft beer sales have grown the fastest of any beer category, increasing by 48% within the last 12 months.

With St Patrick’s Day this Sunday, a day as closely linked to a beer as the country of its patronage, independent brewpub group Brewhouse & Kitchen have commissioned research to find out just how much the nation’s attitudes towards beer have changed.

This nationally representative research is taken from a sample of more than 2000 UK adults.

The research shows:

• 33% of Scotland’s favourite alcoholic beverage is beer
• 26% of Scotland’s beer lovers said that craft beer was better than mainstream beers
• 27% of Scotland drink more alternative styles of beer now than they did a decade ago
• 26% of Scotland find alternative styles of beer, rather than standard lagers more exciting
• 26% of those in Scotland would rather drink an alternative style of beer than a lager
• 19% in Scotland believe that, as a style of beer, lager is a dated, boring option
• 32% of women are trying more alternative styles of beer than they would have 10 years ago
• Millennials are nearly three times more likely to be adventurous with their beer choices than previous generations

Scotland is leading the way for the craft beer movement, 27% of Scotland stating they experiment more with their beer styles than they would have ten years ago.

In fact, 26% of Scotland would rather drink craft beer than the mainstream beers that have dominated for years. That being said, craft beer has increased in popularity consistently across the nation, especially among millennials, who have found the market to be more exciting than their previous generations.

Millennials are almost three times more likely to be adventurous with the beer they drink than those aged 55 and over.

Matt Preisinger, head of marketing at Brewhouse and Kitchen said: ‘The craft beer market is fast becoming an important force driving growth in the hospitality sector, bringing with it a new wave of pubs and bars.

‘Despite this growth, it has always been difficult for brewers to rival the multi-national companies that have become staples in our homes, restaurants, pubs and supermarkets.

‘Beer brewing styles have been fairly static until the craft beer revolution but now, with millions agreeing that they sample and enjoy many more styles regularly, a space has opened for more adventurous styles to succeed.

‘This research is a welcome boost to the market and proves that craft beer and brewing is ready to compete on an international level.’

Founded in 2011 by pub industry veterans Simon Bunn and Kris Gumbrell, the fast-growing SME has 21 sites across the country, eight of which have opened in the past two years, with over 400 employees and an award-winning beer portfolio that exceeds 70 beers per pub.

With the pub industry facing challenging times, Simon and Kris saw an opportunity to acquire high-quality buildings to convert into Brewhouse and Kitchen pubs – influenced by the growing trend of craft beer and specialty food.