Tesco stunned by ale demand

Britain's largest supermarket chain, Tesco, said it was stunned by the late demand for ale in the last 48 hours of shopping before the Christmas holidays. This is a major switch in consumer preference, as lager is normally the main purchase by shoppers.

But Tesco said such brands as Newcastle Brown and Theakston Old Peculier were "walking off the shelves" as customers filled their trolleys for the Christmas period.