Move over Guinness, there's a new stout in town. As the cultural obsession with dark beer continues, fuelled by hits like Netflix's 'House Of Guinness', another Irish brew is stepping into the spotlight for 2026. Beamish, described as richer, sweeter, and more chocolate-forward than its famous cousin, is poised to become the drink of choice, suggesting we'll soon be 'splitting the B' rather than the G.
Lifestyle & Leisure Shifts
Beyond the bar, dining habits are evolving. The sharing burger has arrived, with top restaurants like Notting Hill's Dove slicing large buns like a pizza for communal feasting. Their gorgonzola burger is so popular that all ten daily specials can sell out in a record 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, 'sleepmaxxing' is the new priority. John Lewis reports soaring sales of screenless wearables like the WHOOP tracker, and demand for super-king beds is up 39% as Brits invest in superior slumber. For holidays, 'race-cations' are trending, with Strava data showing 75% of runners aged 18-29 planning trips around competitive events.
Health, Tech & Fashion Forecast
In wellness, fibre is the new buzzword, set to overtake protein and gut health obsessions. The British Heart Foundation's 30g-a-day target is driving a trend, with #fibremaxxing garnering over 157 million views on TikTok. Concurrently, weight-loss pills are becoming more accessible as patents for drugs like semaglutide expire in key markets, paving the way for cheaper generic versions.
Technology is making a nostalgic yet advanced leap. Apple is rumoured to be launching a foldable iPhone in September, potentially costing up to £2,000, following the success of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip with Gen Z. More seriously, AI healthcare is expanding from diagnostics into symptom triage and treatment planning, a shift aimed at addressing a predicted global shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030.
Fashion and beauty are seeing clear directives. Tagwalk analysis indicates a cobalt blue summer is coming, with a third of S/S 26 designer pieces from houses like Miu Miu and Gucci featuring the hue. In salons, hairstylist Sam McKnight predicts the end of bouncy blow-drys, declaring 2026 the year of super-straight, glossy, controlled styles.
Home & Travel Trends
The 'larder brag' is the new status symbol, with Instagram-worthy cupboards stocked with premium staples from Wilkin & Sons ketchup to Torres crisps. Waitrose notes this 'lipstick effect 2.0' thrives in tougher economic times.
For UK travel, Yorkshire is tipped as a 2026 hotspot, driven by the anticipated release of Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The film is expected to draw international visitors and Brontë enthusiasts to the Dales. Finally, the humble cabbage is having a moment, with Pinterest searches for 'cabbage dumplings' up 110%, forecast to become the new kitchen champion for everything from steaks to taco wraps.
