The reopening of UK bars and restaurants on 12 April resulted in a halt in beer production. Beer sales increased by 12% compared to 2019, and beer stocks reached the point of exhaustion.

The reopening of bars and restaurants in the UK on April 12 has also increased beer consumption. Business owners facing the problem of running out of beer in the UK stated that they expect an increase in customers for reopening, but they do not expect their beer stocks to run out. Phil Urban, the owner of the Mitchell & Butlers pub chain, told the Financial Times: “In the weeks after its reopening, beer demand and consumption exceeded all expectations.”

An analysis by Oxford Market Watch revealed that beer sales increased by about 12% in the first week after restrictions were eased (compared to the same period in 2019).