PUBS and the discerning drinkers who frequent them are toasting new figures which show an increase in beer sales for the first time in almost a decade.

A report from the British Beer and Pub Association dubbed the Beer Barometer, has revealed an increase following nine years of decline, with total beer sales increasing by 1.3 per cent.

Although pub sales are still down, falling by 0.8 per cent, Swindon experts say the drop is the lowest since 1996.

Tom Titcombe, the bar manager at the Royal Oak, in Devizes Road, said real ale sales have grown in recent times.

“We are definitely trying to push the real ale side of things,” he said.

“It’s shown growth, outselling lagers and ciders. It’s fantastic.”

Real ales have gained a ‘cooler’ reputation, said 20-year-old Tom, with the image change bringing increased drinker numbers with it.

“I know I have witnessed it,” he said. “It’s become more of a ‘cool’ thing to do.

“More people want to experiment; they get bored with certain drinks and the variety of beers on offer is fantastic.”

His thoughts were echoed by the secretary of the Swindon and North Wiltshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, Richard James, who welcomed the figures.

“It’s very good news,” he said. “What I’ve noticed locally is that real ale seems to be becoming more popular.

“Pubs offering real ales seem to be expanding, so there must be a demand.”

Nationally Camra has more than 168,000 members,with about 700 of them signed up with the Swindon and North Wiltshire branch, which organises the Swindon Beer Festival each year.

“In recent years membership has been going up quite rapidly,” Richard said.

“It’s one of those things. People are enjoying their beer festivals and the beers on offer and, hopefully, then trying them in their local pubs.”

However, the BBPA warned that further rises in duty on beer could stunt the growth, after Chancellor George Osborne’s 1p cut on beer duty at the last two budgets.

And the group is leading calls for another cut in the next Budget, in March.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “British beer is back in growth – and we want to keep it that way. But with 70 per cent of pub drink sales being beer, the picture for our much loved pubs is still fragile.”

For more on the Swindon and North Wiltshire branch of Camra, log on to www.

swindon.camra.org.uk.