Jubel and Asahi sales power Fuller’s to higher profit

Fuller’s has credited soaring demand for high-volume pints like Asahi and Jubel for its higher profit, as the premium pubs group hailed “excellent” trading. The London-listed pubs operator said it has seen growing demand for drinks with weaker alcohol content among its affluent customer base. Fuller’s said sales of Japanese lager Asahi grew by 18 per cent in the six months to September, while sales of peach-flavoured lager Jubel soared by 71 per cent. Demand for spritzes soared by 118 per cent. Jubel, which is priced at £8-a-pint in some City establishments, has surged in popularity in recent years. Pub sales of the lager up 117 per cent year-on-year over the summer and takings across fruit beer reached £40m in the UK in recent months. Fuller’s says its affluent target audience has allowed the pub firm to brush off fears that falling consumer confidence means Brits are spending less on food and drink. “Across our pubs and hotels, we have an affluent customer base that