The government’s reformed alcohol duty regime cranks up on August 1, bringing the biggest increases in alcohol tax for five decades, with spirits, still wine and fortified wine among the hardest hit. Drinks industry hopes of a reprieve from the changes evaporated in the summer heat. The revamp will see the established system of taxing alcoholic drinks by type replaced by one…

With a new alcohol duty system set to commence in August, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) is reducing the abv of its flagship Danish Pilsner from 3.8% to 3.4%. As of August 1, duty will be based on alcoholic strength. In the new system, which is divided into stages depending on abv, 3.5% represents a step up in duty from £9.27 per litre of…

From August 1, the alcohol duty regime is scheduled to change to a simplified system, with products from different categories taxed at the same rate if the alcohol content is the same, rather than the current system of different rates for different categories. A 3.5% abv cut-off between two duty rates will be significant for beer, with products having an incentive to…

The planned changes to alcohol duty will see sweeping changes from August 1 this year, which will have a seismic impact on the way wine is bought, sold and made. Sparkling wine will arguably feel the most change, with a reduction overall reduction and products being taxed differently according to their abv. The August change takes most sparkling products, that sit between 11.5% and 14.5%…

Late last week, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled a mini budget in which he said the planned alcohol duty reform would now include a transitional measure for wine. As part of the mini-budget statement, Kwarteng said: “I have listened to industry concerns about the ongoing reforms. I will therefore introduce an 18-month transitional measure for wine duty.” The announcement comes as the government…

A Whisp Drinks Instagram post has been banned by Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for encouraging excessive drinking and implying that alcohol is indispensable. The post, which was seen on the hard seltzer brand’s Instagram account on November 8 2021, read: “Not sure when to crack open a Whisp? With 4% ABV, think of it as the same as drinking a beer – we’re for…

Pernod Ricard has redesigned its Absolut vodka range and lowered the alcoholic strength of its fruity and spicy flavours. The company said this week that the new design reflects “the intensity of Absolut’s flavours and harmonises the portfolio, with the stripped-back design offering clearer navigation to encourage discovery and significantly improved shelf standout”. The new bottle is also made with around 50% recycled clear glass…