Beer and cider trends show a continuing appetite for variety. Fruit beers, radlers and stouts can all bring new energy to the tap list.
The challenge is keeping the range interesting without tying up cash in slow-moving stock.
The new craft generation
Fruit-infused beers and radler-style refreshers appeal to guests looking for lighter, flavourful options.
At the same time, stouts continue to perform well as customers rediscover rich, dark ales and seasonal serves.
What to stock
- Fruit beers: raspberry wheat beers, cherry ales or citrus-led pilsners.
- Radlers: beer mixed with lemonade or fruit juice for a lower-ABV refresher.
- Craft stouts: local brewery stouts or seasonal stout flights.
Start with a focused selection and track how each style performs by daypart and season.
Managing inventory and demand
Changing your tap list often means adjusting stock levels and staff rotas.
RotaSmart's sales forecasting helps predict how different beer styles perform throughout the year. The rota builder then helps ensure the right bar knowledge is on shift.
Want to keep your tap list fresh and profitable? Book a live demo and see how predictive planning supports seasonal drinks.
RotaSmart operator checklist
Use this article as a working check inside the weekly rota routine:
- Plan Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday and event days separately instead of copying a normal week.
- Protect duty manager, bar, floor and close-down cover before adding nice-to-have labour.
- Check wage percentage before the rota is shared so weekend cover stays affordable.
Example to test this week: Trial one seasonal tap on a Friday and Saturday, then compare wet sales and bar pressure before adding repeat stock.
Related RotaSmart reading
- how to build a pub rota for a bank holiday weekend: covers weekend and bank holiday pressure.
- why Friday sales forecasts distort pub labour costs: explains why Friday needs its own forecast.
- what wage percentage a small pub should target: links sales, wages and rota cost.
- pub rota software: plan weekends, late closes and event pressure.
- pub rota template: sense-check the weekly structure.
