• UK pub goers will be paying the highest beer duty than any of the other competing nations in the Six Nations

• UK will pay three times more in duty than both France and Italy

• BBPA calling for see further cuts in beer duty to get closer to the European average

As the Six Nations kicks off today, new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show that almost 12 million extra pints are expected to be sold. 

During the tournament, which begins with France versus Wales, sales are expected to reach a total of 130 million pints drawing in £56 million more than they would have done at this time of year without the Six Nations. 

According to recent research by Localis and the BBPA, sports are a prime time to bring people together, with nearly one in two using their local to watch live sports. 

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Rugby fans know that the best place to watch live sport, if you can’t be in the stadium itself, is down the pub.   

“With a predicted extra 12 million pints set to be poured during the tournament, worth an extra £56 million in sales, I encourage anyone wanting to watch the match to head to the pub and support their local.  

“However, it is a sad but stark fact that UK pub goers will be paying the highest beer duty than any of the other competing nations in the Six Nations. Whilst we welcome the Government's acknowledgement of the sector and the cut to draught beer in the last Budget, we need to see further cuts in beer duty to get closer to the European average.” 

Despite the vast number of pints pulled, UK consumers will pay the highest duty compared to other competing nations. They pay three times more than both France and Italy. 

The BBPA is calling on Government to further reduce cuts in beer duty to get closer to the European average. 

Not only that, but pubs stand to make just 12p a pint on average and are facing a raft of punishing new rates and fees. 

Following the wider Budget announcements, pubs and brewers now face an April cliff edge, when a further £650m extra in costs will begin.  

The BBPA urges Government to quickly introduce meaningful business rates reform and phase in new costs so that pubs can thrive and our sector can help deliver their growth mission.