Beer Imports in the 1970s

In the 19th century, UK beer imports were almost 100% Lager. That changed after 1922 with Irish independence. Overnight, the largest import became Irish Stout.

Nothing much had changed by the 1970s.  Over 50% of imports were from the Republic of Ireland and most of the rest Lager from Northern Europe.

There was a decline in imports over the decade of around 500,000 barrels. But this can almost totally be accounted for by the decline in imports from Denmark. I assume this because Carlsberg switched production to the UK.

Biggest winner over the period was Germany, volumes rising from 55,000 barrels in 1971 to over 400,000 barrels in 1979. I wonder what that was. Holsten Pils? Was that really brewed in Germany?

Not sure why Belgian imports shot up in 1973 to 1976. Could that be a Lager like Stella first being imported and then brewed locally? This is too early for it to be a top-fermenting

I’m also intrigued by the increase in imports from the USA. What could that be? Probably dome shitty Lager.

Despite imports falling by half a million barrels between 1971 and 1980, the UK still had a deficit of around a million barrels a year. With imports easily outstripping exports every year.Lager.

UK beer imports 1971 - 1975
Country of Origin	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Belgium	22,246	31,481	89,739	102,681	99,073
Denmark	501,062	614,045	721,845	250,140	268,892
France	3,682	10,462	4,265	5,056	3,713
Republic of Ireland	1,350,138	1,269,805	1,379,896	1,221,315	1,181,862
Italy	—	3	138	107	362
Netherlands	59,288	30,633	21,471	73,669	30,014
W. Germany	55,159	72,600	100,860	127,285	176,279
Czechoslovakia	2,248	2,241	3,337	3,593	3,632
Norway	6,735	5,821	6,515	5,767	4,915
Switzerland	3,927	5,275	6,913	7,760	6,422
Australia	5,469	10,571	18,778	24,103	27,744
U.S.A	311	427	916	1,133	1,135
Other Countries	1,715	2,752	2,955	11,416	3,082
Total	2,011,980	2,056,116	2,357,628	1,834,025	1,807,125
Source:
The Brewers' Society UK Statistical Handbook 1980, page 16.

 

UK beer imports 1976 - 1980
Country of Origin	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980
Belgium	65,483	22,018	14,818	46,577	27,031
Denmark	291,437	83,918	28,699	33,934	8,265
France	967	1,177	1,236	1,204	862
Republic of Ireland	1,200,537	1,082,030	1,107,174	1,095,500	1,053,401
Italy	409	349	931	1,258	787
Netherlands	48,521	43,677	33,619	47,945	41,810
W. Germany	228,045	307,589	346,766	416,064	388,872
Czechoslovakia	3,933	2,565	3,333	3,182	3,377
Norway	2,635	1,648	1,772	1,359	1,179
Switzerland	1,596	294	248	548	287
Australia	24,899	13,512	17,211	22,282	25,843
U.S.A	1,573	3,157	4,903	4,492	7,341
Other Countries	8,818	2,799	2,283	4,061	16,851
Total	1,878,853	1,564,733	1,562,993	1,678,406	1,575,906
Source:
The Brewers' Society UK Statistical Handbook 1980, page 16.