Latest industry figures show steep decline for Doom Bar
We see a lot of Timothy Taylor Landlord around Oxford, as almost everywhere, and we know it tends to be expensive. Now it’s been confirmed that it is the top real ale by value, though still lagging slightly behind Sharp’s Doom Bar in volume of beer sold.
Industry figures by CGA, as published in trade portal the Morning Advertiser, show that the ubiquitous Doom Bar, owned by multi-national Molson Coors, is in decline with a 20%-plus drop in value and volume in the 12 months to October 2024. It could be seen as further evidence that large multi-nationals are less and less interested in real ale, and that its future lies with the independent sector.
But only three of the top 10 selling real ales were brewed by independents, the others being St Austell Tribute and new top 10 entry Black Sheep Best Bitter, Black Sheep now being owned by a corporate investor. Butcombe Original and Harvey’s Susses Best drop out of the top 10.
Greene King’s Old Speckled Hen is also new to the top 10, joining its IPA. Marston’s also has two real ales on this list, Wainwright and Pedigree, but it remains to be seen whether they stay there now that Marston’s is closing its Wolverhampton brewery and concentrating all real ale production in Burton-on-Trent.
Landlord has consistently been one of the strongest performing real ales, but is not always well kept and known as a “lively” beer needing good cellar skills. It came eighth on the list in 2018, fifth in 2019 and 2020, third in 2021, and second in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by volume — but first by value.
Tim Dewey, chief executive of Timothy Taylor, said: “Everything we do is designed to achieve the best and consistent quality. The ongoing success of Landlord can be put down to our uncompromising brewing process, the very finest ingredients that we use in our beers, and the relentless hard work and commitment of our team. From the brewery team to the sales team, office staff and our drays, and of course the dedicated pub and wholesaler teams responsible for looking after our beer once it’s left our brewery.
“Landlord’s success rests on all our shoulders, and to see it become the top-selling cask ale by value in the UK, and top independently produced cask ale, is testament to that hard work. All for that taste of Taylor’s.”
The brewery, based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, also produces other real ales but these are rarely seen in this area. Boltmaker is the most likely to be seen, but around its heartland, especially at its own pubs, you may also see other cask and bottled styles such as Ram Tam, sometimes branded as Landlord Dark.
Morning Advertiser Drinks List — Cask Ales 2024
| Brand | Volume (HL) MAT YA | Volume (HL) MAT TY | %chg | Value (£m) MAT YA | Value (£m) MAT TY | %chg | 2023 Rank | Up or Down |
| Sharp’s Doom Bar | 144,133 | 109,043 | -24.3% | 91.8 | 72.3 | -21.3% | 1 | Level |
| Timothy Taylor’s Landlord | 100,254 | 102,654 | +2.4% | 75.2 | 79.0 | +5.1% | 2 | Level |
| Greene King IPA | 84,703 | 77,661 | -8.3% | 57.3 | 54.5 | -4.9% | 3 | Level |
| Fuller’s London Pride | 71,985 | 76,850 | +6.8% | 56.1 | 61.1 | +8.9% | 4 | Level |
| Wainwright Gold | 47,635 | 44,030 | -7.6% | 30.9 | 29.4 | -4.6% | 5 | Level |
| Greene King Abbot Ale | 46,152 | 43,824 | -5.0% | 29.8 | 30.4 | +2.0% | 6 | Level |
| St Austell Tribute Ale | 36,845 | 30,717 | -16.6% | 26.9 | 23.0 | -14.6% | 7 | Level |
| Marston’s Pedigree | 33,417 | 30,284 | -9.4% | 21.3 | 19.9 | -6.4% | 8 | Level |
| Old Speckled Hen | 16,075 | 18,217 | +13.3% | 17.3 | 12.8 | +16.5% | N/A | New Entry |
| Black Sheep Best Bitter | 14,385 | 13,608 | -5.4% | 19.4 | 9.4 | -2.8% | N/A | New entry |
All data provided by CGA for the 12 months to 5 October 2024