A MAJOR beer brand has become the latest to slash its alcohol strength – but customers will still fork out the same price.
Hophead has been reduced from 3.8% to 3.4% ABV so its makers can take advantage of a new, lower rate of tax on alcohol under 3.5%.
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But landlords are still being charged the same wholesale price for a cask – despite its lower strength – said trade journal The Morning Advertiser.
It means already struggling publicans are unable to charge customers less at the bar for the weaker version of the ale.
One licensee told the pub trade newspaper: “I find it a bit cheeky, they just send out a new badge with a note asking us to change the badge as they have changed the ABV.
“Is it cheaper now they pay less duty?
“I bet if I asked that question, headquarters would just say the cost of materials has gone up and the saving on duty helps mitigate the costs.”
The publican added: “We sell a lot of Hophead and now I’m questioning whether it’s better to look for an alternative.”
Big name beers including Stella Artois, Foster’s, Carlsberg, Spitfire, Old Speckled Hen and Bishops Finger have all been reduced in strength in line with the introduction of the lower rate of tax on weaker booze.
The price for a draught pint of Hophead varies from pub to pub, but punters will typically pay £3.92 for a real ale, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, while a 500ml bottle of the hoppy brew costs between £2.12 and £2.35, depending on the retailer.
A spokesman for Japanese beer giant Asahi, which owns Hophead brewer Dark Star, said: “We have done a lot of work on the 3.4% recipe.”
He added: “Moving to 3.4% and entering the lower threshold for duty supports our ability to invest in Dark Star, including continuing to grow Hophead as a national brand.”
The move comes after the producers of Kronenbourg slashed the alcohol content in its lager.
The French golden lager recently rebranded 1664 Bière, has gone from five to 4.6 per cent ABV.
Brewer Carlsberg Marston said British punters preferred weaker drinks.
A spokesman said: “Many beers in the UK are brewed at a lower ABV than those in Europe, based on consumer preference and category norms.
“Through our collective brewing expertise, we are able to brew excellent beers with slightly less alcohol to deliver great taste and quality.”
Britain’s cheapest and most expensive beers
The average price of a pint of beer costs a whopping £5 in Britain now. But, the actual price varies a lot by location with some places being much cheaper than others. Britain’s most expensive pints of beer can be found in:
- London – £7.10
- Belfast – £6.71
- Brighton and Hove – £6.60
Meanwhile, the cheapest pints of beer can be found in:
- Wrexham – £2.20
- Bangor – £2.42
- Dunfermline – £2.97
Recently it was revealed seven out of ten drinks in UK pubs are poured short, according to research by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
The CTSI conducted 137 test purchases and found 96 drinks were not full.
Beer was more likely to be under-poured, with 86 per cent short measured, compared to 43 per cent of glasses of wine.
Meanwhile, this pub sells the cheapest pints in the UK.
And these are the top 10 cheapest beer destinations in Europe.
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