Brewery chief in beer duty hope (From York Press)

Black Sheep Brewery chief in beer duty hope

9:57am Monday 18th March 2013 in Business news

THE managing director of Black Sheep Brewery said a halt in the rise of beer tax in this month’s budget would be welcome respite for brewers and pubs.

In the last four years, beer duty has increased by more than 40 per cent, with 20 increases imposed on drinkers since 1990.

Rob Theakston said: “It is important for our industry to get a break from the Chancellor, after years of increases in duty. What was once an important social pastime is in danger of becoming a luxury which is affordable for relatively few.

“The Government has hit the brewing industry hard, but there is a danger in continuing to use beer duty as a cash cow.

“These perennial cost increases are not sustainable and without a change then we can expect to see more pubs going to the wall.”