55% of all drinkers support lower strength beer option in pubs

5th August 2009, 3:43pm

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has launched a campaign at this week's Great British Beer Festival, which could save drinkers 60p on a pub pint of lower strength beer as well as giving them greater choice.

CAMRA is calling on the Government to introduce a 'People's Pint' by abolishing excise duty on all beers at 2.8% abv or below.

As well as saving consumers 60p, the move would make it easier for drinkers to enjoy a night out while drinking within sensible limits. Alcohol Concern has already expressed its support for CAMRA's new campaign. 

Mike Benner, CAMRA chief executive, said: "Zero duty on lower strength beers is a win-win scenario for brewers, pubs, consumers and the Government. Quality lower strength beers can be packed with flavour- a lower alcohol content does not need to translate into a reduction in flavour. 

"For the consumer, this proposal means greater choice as well as a saving at the bar if they opt for a beer of 2.8% abv or less. For the Government, this is an opportunity to make it easier for people to drink responsibly whilst also supporting the tens of thousands of jobs under threat as a result of falling beer sales and pub closures." 

Don Shenker from Alcohol Concern, said: "People are entitled to have more choice and greater control over their own drinking. Having more lower strength drinks on the market allows people to enjoy a night out while making it easier to stay within safe drinking guidelines." 

CAMRA's "People's Pint" campaign follows alarming new figures from research body AC Nielsen which suggest that off-trade sales through supermarkets could overtake beer sales in pubs next year and that there is a need for lower priced beers in pubs.

Related Articles:

• 04 Aug 2009 - More women drinkers opt for real ale, says CAMRA
• 04 Aug 2009 - CAMRA reaches 100,000 members
• 29 Jul 2009 - CAMRA hosts coeliac-friendly beers next week at festival
• 28 Jul 2009 - CAMRA launches petition to save historic pub
• 24 Jul 2009 - Beer ties and the Office of Fair Trading
• 24 Jul 2009 - 'Super-Complaint' prompts OFT probe into pub market
• 23 Jul 2009 - CAMRA declares National Pub Design Awards open
• 16 Jul 2009 - European rules must change for UK government to support pubs
• 14 May 2009 - Celebrate mild beer in May
• 13 May 2009 - MPs call for inquiry into 'beer tie' activity
• 15 Apr 2009 - MPS oppose beer tax rise

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Les Robottom

13 October 2010 at 11:43am

Bring back beer you can drink. These sipping beers are ok but I would like my liver to last a few years more. Ansells used to make a good mild. You could have a session on that and get up next day, still feeling capable of doing something other than lay moaning by the TV.

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