UK: AB InBev to make 615 mln extra pints of beer at its Preston facility

Lager giant Budweiser is set to make 615 million extra pints of beer every year at its brewery near Preston (Lancashire, northern England) following a £45million investment in the site, the Accrington Observer reported on March 7.

The investment was announced by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, a subsidiary of AB InBev, last week as part of its wider investment plans across the country.

A total of £115million is being pumped into its UK sites in what it says will 'drive economy prosperity across the UK' and 'increase capacity and efficiency'.

In Lancashire, the Salmesbury Brewery will see a new canning line installed for new sustainable plastic ring-free cans.

It will also see modifications to its brewing, utilities and logistics workings in order to increase brewing capacity.

All in all, this will increase brewing capacity by two million hectolitres - something Budweiser says is around 350million extra litres of beer when fully operational.

This is the equivalent of around 615.9million extra pints of alcohol a year.

As well as Budweiser, the Samlesbury brewery brews Stella Artois, Brahma, Bass and Boddingtons.