It's ale and hearty on home-brewing front as DIY kit sales soar

WHILE business is reeling from the recession, shops are shutting left, right, and centre, and we're seeing the worst snowfalls for years. there is some boom among the gloom.
Sellers of home-brewing kits are reporting record sales as tipplers turn to making their own wine and beer — for as little as 25p a pint or 20p for a glass of wine.

Dave Boustead, who runs The Quay Side Easy Brew, in Exeter, said that he has experienced a 30 per cent increase in DIY booze sales, compared to figures from last year.

And he said he had been told by some customers that they have started home- brewing after losing their jobs.

He said: "You probably have to look at the last four months to see a difference really. Since the Credit Crunch, there has been a noticeable increase in interest. In the last four months, compared to the same four months of 2007-08, there has been a 30 per cent increase."

Mr Boustead, whose family have been in the home -brew business for 20 years, said that people were also surprised at the quality of the beer and wine that can be made at home — and that customers had many reasons for turning to DIY brewing.

"Customers will mention — 'my dad does it', 'I've tasted it at a friend's' or 'I've lost my job and can't afford to go to the pub'. We get a complete cross section of people in."

He said that beer and wine seemed equally popular, with students representing about 15 per cent of sales.

"Home-brewing has always been popular with students and in Exeter we have a big university," Mr Boustead said.

Lee Porter, sales manager for Young's Home Brew, the biggest wholesaler for home-brew products in the country, said that sales had doubled, with a surge in first-time buyers purchasing starter kits.

"Our trade over January, was up over 100 per cent," he said. "The increase started last March. I think it's a mixture of things. The Credit Crunch has definitely helped. Before Christmas, the range of starter kits sold was four or five times more than usual."

Mr Porter said that the smoking ban had also led to an increase in the popularity of brewing and drinking at home. And he expected the increase in sales to continue as new home brewers replenished their stocks.

Wendy Knight, landlady at the Railwayman pub, in Pinhoe Road, near Polsloe Bridge, said: "Home- brewing is all very well but everyone knows you can't beat the friendliness, company and general banter of a well run pub. The things you hear off the cuff are wonderful and would make anybody's night. There is more to a pint than its price — there is the warmth of those who drink with you."