Beer sales were ahead by 1.5% and 5.6% respectively in the two weeks to 10 and 17 October, with cider also up 1.6% and 7.6%.

The figures, revealed in The Daily Drinks Tracker, powered by CGA intelligence, said the numbers continue a pattern of “broadly flat drinks sales” since a burst of growth during the football World Cup.

The tracker is also in line with the separate NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, which recorded like-for-like growth of 2.7% at managed pub, bar and restaurant groups in September, just below the UK’s rate of inflation.

Away from beer, ‘Long Alcoholic Drinks’ fared best in the first half of October with warmer weather and the return of the Premier League to screens in many pubs and bars.

However it was a very difficult start to the month for spirits (down 16.3% and down 13.2%), as some customers sought more refreshment and value in longer serves, they said.

Rachel Weller, NIQ’s commercial lead, UK & Ireland, explained: “An essentially flat start to Autumn drinks sales isn’t much for operators and suppliers to get excited about.

“But in a high-cost environment where spending remains tight for millions of consumers, it’s a reasonable performance, and beer and cider figures are particularly encouraging.

“The on-premise will now be looking to Halloween to bring more people out to celebrate and revive spirits sales in particular.

“In the meantime, leaders will be hoping that the government’s forthcoming Budget can stimulate consumers’ spending and give businesses some relief on costs.”