How many pints will be sold this St Patrick’s Day?

An estimated £54 million was lost by the sector on St Patrick’s Day in 2021 due to lockdown. But how many pints are expected to be poured during this year’s celebrations?

Government restrictions curtailed the festivities last year, with celebrations in 2020 also severely cut back by impending restrictions.

Indeed, brands and pubs had to find alternative ways of marking the day during the pandemic. Irish Whiskey brand Jameson launched St Patrick’s Day celebrations that ran across the entire month of March last year. They included a series of party-at-home kits, competitions and live-streamed music events.

But this year on St Patrick’s Day, as we move beyond the direct effects of the pandemic, the revelry is set to return.

According to analysis by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), 14 million pints are expected to be pulled and sold in the UK on St Patrick’s Day tomorrow (17 March), as the public flocks to celebrate the occasion in true Irish fashion.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA said: “St Patrick’s Day is synonymous with a toast or two and we know our members are looking forward to welcoming people back to their pubs to celebrate this joyous occasion.”

“The past two years have been tough on our industry with £54million lost on St Patrick’s Day last year alone and even more in 2020 as restrictions were announced. As we return to normality, we hope people will show support for their local by celebrating these events with a freshly poured pint.”

To mark the occasion Guinness has released a breakfast tea beer. The Breakfast Tea Amber was first devised in 2020, but was only available from Guinness’ Maryland tap room.

Now it is being canned and sold to those who are yet to make the pilgrimage to the company’s first American taproom.

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