A HOST of beer brands have slashed the strength of their tipples leaving drinkers fuming.
Heineken, Carlsberg and Hophead are among some of the big names to have dropped the alcohol by volume (ABV) on booze.
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The move, known as “drinkflation”, has seen Grolsch go from 4% to 3.4% and John Smith drop from 3.6% to 3.4%.
A number of brewers have been lowering the strength of their beers and ales in a bid to cut costs.
Since August 2023, alcohol duty rates have risen in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) meaning it’s more expensive for manufacturers to produce or import booze over certain strengths.
Drinks with an ABV of 3.4% or less are now taxed at £9.27 per litre of alcohol while beers with an ABV of 3.5% or more are taxed at £21.01 per litre of alcohol.
Ash Corbett-Collins, chairman for Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said taxing lower ABV drinks can “inspire innovation” but a higher strength was “integral for certain style beers”.
“Consumers deserve to have a choice at the bar, taproom or bottle shop, and it would be a shame to see tax bands create any form of limitation on that choice.”
But brewers have been slashing the ABV on their beers even before August 2023, in a bid to cut costs.
Here are all the beers that have been slashed in alcoholic strength, leaving punters fuming.
SOL
Heineken is set to cut the strength of SOL-branded beers from 4.2% to 3.4% from February 25.
A spokesperson previously said it was trying to make cost savings across the business and reduce the impact of inflation on punters.
From February 1, the brewer is also hiking the wholesale cost of beers sold to pubs.
These added costs, if venues are unable to absorb them, could be passed onto paying customers.
Grolsch
Grolsch drinkers were left fuming “no point drinking it” last year after finding out it would go from an ABV of 4% to 3.4%.
The beer was relaunched in 2020 by Asahi after being discontinued the year before after it fell out of favour with drinkers.
Before its relaunch, it was sold at 5% ABV.
One punter wrote on X: “I used to be quite partial to the old 5% Grolsch on draught a few years back.
“Just who exactly are these 3.4% beers aimed at?”
Another wrote: “@Grolsch_UK just thought I’d let you know that 3.4% is not a premium pilsner is anyone’s book but yours.
“I hope there will be a price drop correlated with the drop in strength?”
Kronenbourg
Kronenbourg fans were left reeling after finding out last year the popular beer’s ABV had been slashed from 5% to 4.6%.
A spokesperson for Carlsberg Marston, which makes the drink, said it was “able to brew excellent beers with slightly less alcohol to deliver great taste and quality“.
One fan branded the move “shocking”.
Another said: “Another beer bites the dust in the UK.”
Hophead
Hophead’s ABV was slashed from 3.8% to 3.4% last year, despite landlords having to pay the same wholesale price for the ale.
A spokesperson for Asahi, which makes the beer, said it had “done a lot of work on the 3.4% recipe”.
They 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.”
Publicans were left frustrated at the move, one saying: “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?”
Banks
Banks Amber Ale were changed from 3.8% to 3.4% in the middle of 2023, while the price went up from 89p to £1.
One reviewer wrote on the Tesco website: “Been buying it for years but will stop now. I would also rather pay more for quality.”
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company Group, which makes the ale, said its reduced ABV to encourage “moderation” in shoppers.
John Smiths
John Smith’s Extra Smooth bitter had its ABV slashed last year from 3.6% to 3.4%.
Heineken said the decision to make the bitter weaker was based on promoting healthy drinking among customers.
A spokesman said: “We know consumers are increasingly choosing lower ABV products as part of a balanced lifestyle.
“Acknowledging this trend we have made the decision to brew John Smith’s Extra Smooth at a slightly lower ABV.
“Reducing the alcohol content of the UK’s No.1 keg ale brand removes millions of alcohol units across the UK – aligned to our long held position of promoting moderation.”
Fosters
In 2022, Heineken cut the ABV of iconic Aussie-themed Fosters from 4% to 3.7%.
Heineken said the decrease was due to people opting for lower percentage drinks.
A company spokesperson previously told The Sun: “We know consumers are increasingly choosing lower ABV beers and ciders as part of a healthy lifestyle.
“Acknowledging this trend, we have made the decision to brew Foster’s lager at a slightly lower ABV.”
Carlsberg, Bishops Finger and Old Speckled Hen
Carlsberg lowered the ABV of its pilsner from 3.8% to 3.4% in 2023 ahead of the change in alcohol duty.
Meanwhile, an investigation carried out by The Daily Mail found Spitfire Amber Ale, Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale and Old Speckled Hen Pale Ale had all dropped in strength too.
Their ABVs went from 4.5% to 4.2%, 5.4% to 5.2% and 5% to 4.8%, respectively.
WHAT IS DRINKFLATION?
“Drinkflation”, a play on “shrinkflation”, sees retailers or manufacturers make drinks smaller or lower strength while keeping prices the same or increasing them slightly.
Businesses do this to help them cope with rising costs of producing an item.
A large hit to profit margins may push a company to reduce the size of its products rather than push up the price.
You can often spot shrinkflation if a company redesigns its packaging or uses a new slogan.
It is often used in the food and drink industry but can also happen in almost all markets.
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
