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Brewdog Alcohol UK Government

BrewDog 'disappointed' at UK Government's plans to scrap minimum alcohol pricing across England and Wales

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By Stephen Lepitak, -

July 19, 2013 | 2 min read

BrewDog, the independent brewer, has said that it is ‘disappointed’ by the UK government’s decision not follow through with the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing across England and Wales.

Other than to state its disappointment in the decision, the company would not comment further but did add that it stood by its comments made in a blog in March, where co-founder James Watt described the proposal as reflecting “the changing dynamic of beer purchasing in the UK.”

At the time, he stated: “The new minimum price of £0.50 per unit for Scotland and the proposed £0.45 a unit for the rest of the UK will not affect any craft brewers pricing (Punk IPA currently retails in the off trade for around £0.90 per unit equivalent). The proposals will mean that the multi-national corporate hammerheads no longer allowed to discount their liquid cardboard to embarrassingly pathetic levels it will act to level the playing field in the off trade. Craft brewers can’t, and shouldn’t, discount their beers and sustain losses. With less of a price differential now in the off trade between industrial and craft beer it will be far easier for the consumer to trade up to awesome craft brews.”

However the Wine & Spirit Trade Association praised the decision, claiming that it recognised the industry’s 'positive contribution' to encouraging responsible drinking through the Public Health Responsibility Deal.

The U-turn by the government on the initiative was confirmed yesterday, although the Scottish Government will continue with its plans to introduce the plan north of the border, it is understood.

Brewdog Alcohol UK Government

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