Stout Beer Surges in Popularity, Attracting Diverse New Consumers

Stout beer, once considered an acquired taste, is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity, drawing in a new and diverse consumer base. Brewers and retailers alike are reporting significant growth in stout sales, with some seeing increases of over 100% in the past year.

Vernon Amor, of Wye Valley Brewery, has witnessed this trend firsthand. "We've seen a growth of over 100% in sales of our stout products in the last 12 months," Amor said. "Women and younger drinkers under 25 are trying it for the first time and realizing its fantastic flavor and character."

Supermarkets are also benefiting from the stout boom. Tesco reported a 35% increase in stout sales last year, indicating that the trend extends beyond pubs and bars. The craft beer movement has played a role in introducing new stout products, such as BrewDog's Black Heart, which are appealing to a younger audience seeking beers with exceptional flavor and character.

Pub managers are scrambling to keep up with the growing demand. Pip Preece, manager of The Barrels in Hereford, said, "We've had to order two to three times more stout per week to keep up with the demand, which is no longer limited to just rugby fans."

Why this matters: The surge in stout beer popularity represents a significant shift in consumer preferences and demographics. As a wider range of drinkers embrace the rich, complex flavors of stout, it opens up new opportunities for brewers and retailers to expand their offerings and reach new markets.

Experts attribute the rising popularity of stout to its rich, smooth, and complex flavor profile, as well as its heritage and provenance as a great British beer. For brewers, the trend is seen as brilliant news, with hopes that it will continue to grow.

Key Takeaways

• Stout beer experiencing surge in popularity, up over 100% in past year.
• New and diverse consumer base, including women and younger drinkers, driving growth.
• Supermarkets seeing 35% increase in stout sales, trend extends beyond pubs and bars.
• Craft beer movement introducing new stout products appealing to younger audience.
• Shift in consumer preferences opens new opportunities for brewers and retailers.