Dutch brewer Heineken has reported a 3 percent increase in turnover for its Irish business in the first half of 2007 with the company now holding 21.6 per cent of market share in Ireland.
Irish sales are up 2 per cent with the company announcing an overall 24.8 per cent rise in its first-half operating profit recording €906 million.
The world's fourth largest brewer in terms of sales said its first-half revenue rose 6.8 per cent to €6.127 billion and volume growth would continue in the second half of the year but at a slower pace after poorer weather.
Heineken Ireland reported turnover of €153 million up 3 per cent on the previous year with market share increasing 21.6 percent, up 0.7 per cent, the highest beer market share gain of the main breweries.
The value of the beer market in Ireland now stands at €3.2 billion.
Heineken is Ireland's number one lager with 28 per cent of market share and it holds 17 per cent of the total beer market.
The company said Heineken was the fastest growing beer brand in the ROI for the first half of 2007.
"The company's sales performance continues to benefit from the increased consumer preference for lager, particularly in the off trade," a statement said.
The company also enjoyed significant UK growth with UK volumes increasing 27 per cent.
Underlying earnings from Western Europe were more than 12 per cent ahead at €332 million as the company gained from the continued roll-out of its DraughtKeg, a pressurised pub-style beer barrel which was introduced to UK stores during the period.
The five-litre DraughtKeg has now been launched in more than 60 countries with sales topping five million to the end of June.
The company has upgraded full-year profits forecasts, although growth is expected to continue at a "more moderate" pace in the second half of the year.
The company announced an interim dividend of €0.24 per share of €1.60 nominal value.