Raise your glasses, beer enthusiasts, because the numbers are in! The UK’s love of all things hops and barley is as strong as ever, and as we head into the closing moments of the year, Protect Line took a deep dive into the world of Britain’s favourite tipple to find out which frothy monster was the Top of the Beer Pops in 2023.
Fasten your seat belts, strap yourselves in, and get ready for some hop-tastic revelations and prepare to gasp in astonishment as the beery big hitters are unveiled. And so without ado, the UK’s best selling beers are…
Stella Artois: Towering at the top of the charts is Stella Artois, raking in an astounding £246 million in revenue. With its crisp taste and rich heritage, Stella continues to reign supreme as the beer of choice for Brits.
Budweiser: Hailing from across the pond, the iconic red rebel and American staple Budweiser comes in a strong second place with a staggering £164.7 million in sales in the last year
Foster’s: Australians can toast to Foster’s success and throw another shrimp on the barbie to celebrate as it takes the bronze medal, amassing £126 million in revenue.
Carling: A household name, and the lager that every beer drinker from John O’Groats to Lands’ End is acquainted with, Carling secures the fourth spot with a respectable £114 million in sales.
Carlsberg: The Danish delight Carlsberg’s waves it’s green banner as it crosses the finishing line in fifth place after pulling £84 million in pints across the UK
San Miguel: Spain’s finest export, the smooth tasting and ever so slightly San Miguel, claims the sixth spot. after selling £76 million worth of its flagship beer.
Heineken: The Netherlands’ only contribution to the list, Heineken, grabs seventh place with £66.3 million and proves that not everything from Holland is flat.
Peroni: The crisp and refreshing bad boy of the lager world, Italy’s Peroni takes eighth place with £55 million in sales.
Corona: From beach parties to British pubs, Corona has found a place in the hearts of Brits on holiday and at home, and lands at the ninth spot with £50 million.
Desperados: Rounding off the top ten is Desperados, the tequila flavoured beer that’s a hit with hipsters and the UK’s happening crowd, amassing £49 million in revenue.
These numbers not only reflect the diverse tastes of the UK’s beer but also highlight the fact that brewers from here, there and everywhere in between are rising to the challenge to meet the discerning beer drinkers demand for something different.
But it’s also important to remember that beer is best enjoyed in moderation. If you’re tempted to try every beer that earned a place in the top ten, you might be drinking too much as according to the insurance underwriting data from Protect Line’s alcohol calculator there’s a limit to how many of the top ten you can drink a week before you could push the price of your life insurance policy past the point of affordability.
As we toast the top ten beers of 2023, one thing is abundantly clear. The UK is more in love with beer than its ever been. So, whether you’re a fan of the classics or eager to try something new, there’s a pint waiting for you at your local pub or on the shelf of your local supermarket.
