British Love Affair with Real Ale Continues as Young People Take Up the Drink

The British love affair with real ale is showing no signs of abating as more than a third of young people have tried the beverage and the vast majority of them would drink it again, according to a poll by TNS for the Campaign for Real Ale.

The survey, which questioned more than 1,000 18 to 24 year olds in June, also found that more than six out of ten (65%) respondents tried real ale for the first time within the last three years, compared to 11% across all ages.

Camra, which published the research to coincide with the launch of its Good Beer Guide 2015, said it is clear that real ale is not only attracting new drinkers – as one in ten real ale drinkers tried it in the last three years – but these new recruits are far more likely to be young.

"It is fantastic to see more young people discovering and enjoying real ale – that old stereotype of real ale drinkers being in their dotage never was true, but now it's dead and buried," said Roger Protz, editor of the Good Beer Guide.

"What's more, the Good Beer Guide relies on recommendations by local Camra members across the UK and as more young people discover real ale we hope to continue to see the guide adapt and evolve alongside the British pub."

The research also revealed that around 28% of real ale drinkers are now aged between 18 to 34 – representing 2.2 million people across the UK.

The NHS recommends that men should not regularly drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day.

Women, however, should not regularly drink more than two to three units a day, according to the health body.