CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has launched a campaign at this week's Great British Beer Festival, which could save drinkers 60 pence 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 60 pence on a pub pint of lower strength beer the move would make it easier for drinkers to enjoy a night out while drinking within sensible limits. Alcohol Concern has expressed support for CAMRA's new campaign.
A 60 pence reduction on a pub pint of lower strength beer would help get people back into pubs at a time when pubs are being battered by the recession, huge increases in beer tax and fierce competition from supermarkets selling alcohol as a loss leader. Pubs are currently closing at a rate of more than seven a day.
CAMRA will be showcasing Welton's Brewery's 2.8% abv beer 'Pride 'n' Joy' at the Great British Beer Festival being held in Earls Court, London this week. Visitors can comment on 'Pride 'n' Joy' at gbbf.camra.org.uk/beers
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, Alcohol Concern Chief Executive, said:
'We support CAMRA's call to revisit the issue of alcohol duty in order to encourage the drinks industry to produce lower strength beers. 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.
Mike Benner continued:
'Pubs provide a safe and sociable place for adults to enjoy alcohol responsibly and it is essential that the Government supports our campaign to enable pubs to compete more effectively with ludicrously low supermarket beer prices. With 55% of drinkers in favour of a lower alcohol beer option*, the demand is clearly there and the Government is free to introduce a zero-rate on beers of 2.8% abv or less under existing EU rules and should therefore do so.'
CAMRA claims that while pub prices for lower strength beers could be up to 60 pence a pint lower, the effect on supermarket prices would be minimal.
Ray Welton, Head Brewer at Welton's Brewery, said:
'There's always the element of lower strength beers being unique selling points, and I know of a few pubs where licensees are thriving because of offering a low strength beer option to their customers. A low strength beer allows people to enjoy a beer when they may wish to moderate their drinking levels. There is certainly already a consumer demand for a low-strength beer option in pubs, but to further this, there needs to be a national campaign in order to champion its merits.'
ENDS
Notes to editors:
* CAMRA consumer survey, June 2009. Compiled by TNS - 'I'd like you to tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statement… I would like to see a lower strength beer option (around 2.8%) in pubs, offered for sale at a price lower than standard pub beer prices?
1/ The duty per pint of 2.8% abv beer is 26 pence, to which a typical licensee will mark up by 100%, which delivers them a 50% gross profit on the sale price. VAT of 15% is then added, which increases the cost of duty to the consumer of just under 60 pence.
More festival information - www.gbbf.org.uk
More CAMRA info - www.camra.org.uk
For further information:
CAMRA Great British Beer Festival Press Office (3-8 August) - 020 7244 3925
Jon Howard, CAMRA Press Officer- 07939 425471
Tony Jerome, CAMRA Press and Marketing Manager- 07736 948186
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive- 07971 591224
Jonathan Mail, CAMRA Head of Public Affairs- 07720 724733
Iain Loe, CAMRA National Spokesperson- 07801 706607
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