Meantime IPA has a new label. It also has a new strength, dropping from 7.5% to 7.4% ABV. Not a surprise in view of the new increased duty on strong beers and not in itself cause for great concern. But I'm worried that the 7.5% threshold will be reduced in future years either as a continued attack on drinkers egged on by the health lobby or merely as a blatant tax grab. Either way the emasculation of beer is underway.
The cut-off is for beers OVER 7.5%, so that as such didn't make them reduce the strength. But I agree the principle is likely to be extended in future years.
ReplyDeleteI presume they've reduced the advertised strength to ensure they don't go over the 7.5% threshold. A 0.1% uplift would be very costly.
ReplyDeleteI made much the same point myself and am certain this is only the start. We'll all end up drinking 2.8% hop-flavoured water or, more likely, home brew!
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