Beer Strength Reduction Groups

[Fraser]

Is this just a tax dodge/reduction?!

One of my current fave beers, Mahou, has seemingly dropped from 5.1% to 4.8%. The full strength gear, 5.5%, having went years ago. I remember getting a few 5.5% bottles about 5 years ago.

I much prefer the stuff brewed in the country of origin than the UK brewed stuff, but it just seems to keep getting squeezed.

Estrella Damm here, despite being imported, is really crap compared to the stuff abroad imo. Not even the same colour in my recent experience. 4.6% compared to 5.3% and you can tell.

 

[Bandit]

It has been happening stealthily over last 10 years.

A money maker nothing more.

All the 5% bar one or two went to 4.8% and some others have been dropping .2% year on year.

I used to love Becks, it was 5%, then it went down to 4.8% and they launched Becks Vier 4%. Becks Vier then disappeared and Becks is now 4%

The Germans must be turning in their lederhosen

 

[Tom]

1664 has been rebranded and they have snuck in a reduction from 5 to 4.6%.

 

[Legion]

It's been happening for years and it's mostly down to cost and taxes.

That said, a lad I went to uni with works for one of the big brewers and he's said for a while that the only two big growth markets are strong (but expensive) craft beer, and low alcohol lager.