CRAFT BEERS HELP PUT FIZZ BACK INTO CARLSBERG

DEMAND for craft beer and alcoholfree drinks boosted Danish brewer Carlsberg, sending sales up for the first time in three years.

Sales at the world’s third largest brewer behind AB Inbev and Heineken rose 3pc in 2018 to £7.4bn.

But they fell 3pc in Britain. Carlsberg also owns Tuborg, Kronenbourg and Somersby cider.

Despite its mainstream Carlsberg beer falling out of favour in the UK, its Italian craft beer Poretti was popular. In western Europe, craft beer sales jumped 26pc, while revenue from Carlsberg’s alcohol-free drinks was up by a third.

The firm is the latest mega-brewer to jump on the craft revolution, which has seen a surge in popularity for hoppy, small-batch beers.

Sales across the business were boosted by the heatwave in Europe last year, as well as the World Cup.

Carlsberg expects profits to grow at a slower pace this year following a particularly good 2018. Chief executive Cees ’t Hart said: ‘In 2019 the top line will probably be a bit more modest after such a strong year.’