World Cup Cheer for African Beer.

(From The Journal)

Byline: BEER ALASTAIR GILMOUR

LAST week in the pub, four million of us watched England play the USA in the World Cup. We downed nine million more pints than on a normal Saturday night, spending pounds 35m in the process.

Those at home contributed to a 500% increase in pizza and pint glass sales from Sainsbury's and the National Grid reported a half-time electricity surge of 1,140 megawatts, the equivalent of the power consumption of Newcastle. Put another way, that's 450,000 kettles being switched on. Collectively, we sent 1.5 million text messages when Steven Gerard scored.

Similar statistics will be repeated tonight and after relentless bad news coming out of the pub trade, it's a welcome relief, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. Its chief executive Brigid Simmonds says: "The World Cup is a brilliant event for pubs, only being at the game itself can compare with being in the pub. It's a great time to get out and support your …