More than 39 million pints are set to be drank by thirsty revellers over st Patrick’s weekend in a much needed boost to Britain’s pubs. And our love affair with Guinness shows no signs of ending despite prices rises and shortages fears.
Beleagured boozers have seen a huge surge in sales of the black stuff during rugby’s six nations tournament and the Cheltenham Festival in the build-up to St Patrick’s Day.
And consumption trends show our hard-hit pubs will get the luck of the Irish as they are expected to sell two million more pints as drinkers pain the town green in the five days from Friday to March 17.
A BBPA spokesperson said: “Not only is Saint Patrick’s Day a perfect time for communities to come together, it also provides a fantastic boost for pubs up-and-down the country.”
Bars have seen an invasion of fancy dress partygoers this weekend ordering Guinness, which remains UK’s bestselling beer despite despite the average price of a pint rocketing to £5.21 with a 4p-a-pint increase set for April.
Some bars are flogging it for more than £6 while racegoers at Cheltenham were expected to since 400,000 at an eye-watering £7.50 a pop.
And while sales of rival stout Murphy’s have risen in recent years, beer sales manager Rick Buxton said his Guinness sales had jumped more than 30% in the last year alone.
He said: “The volume of Guinness is just ridiculous. Murphy’s is nowhere near. There was a shortage last year and in February but we’re up to date with stock now.
“The younger drinkers are on it. Social media and splitting the G has had a massive impact on sales and it’s not slowed down. My Guinness sales have gone up 20 or 30% just from last year. We did 3,000 more kegs of Guinness in 2025 than we did in 2024.
“Some places have put Murphy’s on and some other places have put Caffrey’s on, but the market for that is still quite new. I was in a pub last week and in the half hour I was in there, I only saw on person drinking lager. Everyone else was on Guinness.
“If you’re a Guinness drinker, you’re prepared to pay whatever the cost to drink it. Sales are pretty consistent accross the year. A lot of the cask ales drop off in the summer but Guinness stays strong all year.”
Richard Whitaker, chairman of Farsley Cricket Club in Leeds, said his Guinness sales had remained consistent despite offering a cheaper alternative in Caffrey’s Black.
He said: “We’re selling Caffrey’s Black and it’s new so it has generated some interest but that could also be down the price difference. But loyal Guinness drinkers will pay whatever the cost. They know it’s expensive and they expect to pay it, they just factor it in.”
More than 50,000 people are expected to gather in Trafalgar Square on Sunday for London’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, led by Grand Marshal Irish writer and broadcaster Emma Dabiri. And thousands will also gather in Manchester’s celebration of Irish heritage.
The colourful parades will feature floats, marching bands, dance troupes and pageantry. Wetherspoons is cutting the price of Guinness in its 800 pubs to £3.49 and also serving a specially brewed Brogue Irish Red for just £1.99 a pint on Tuesday.
They will also be offering Jameson Irish Whiskey for £3.49 and a Baby Guinness shot for £3.99.
Marketing executive James Vaughan said: “We believe our St Patrick’s Day drinks prices offer great value for money. We look forward to welcoming customers into the pubs to celebrate on the day.”
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