The boom in sales of Irish ales in Britain is well and truly over. Brewing combine Bass said yesterday that sales of Irish ales had declined by 14 per cent over the past year, partly due to the poor summer weather but also due to competition from rival drinks products. Sales of market leader, Caffrey's, brewed by Bass in Belfast, have fallen 11 per cent. But part of the decline in Caffrey's sales was due to the recall by Bass of its canned and bottled beer in July following accidental contamination. Operating profits of Bass Brewers fell 10.7 per cent to £150 million sterling (£168 million) in the year to September 30th after including the estimated £12 million cost of the product recall.