Low Alcohol Beers

I was propping up the bar the other week during my jaunt down south. A punter ordered a pint of Wychwood January' Sale. I wasn't aware of this beer but a quick perusal of the pump clip told that it was only 2.8% and I realised it was one of the new wave of beers brewed to take advantage of the lower duty band.

I was interested to see how much it cost and was astounded when the barman asked for £3.10. It doesn't look like the duty saving is going to be passed on to the customer.

Meantime reduces strength of beer. Are we surprised?

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.