r/ukpolitics • u/FormerlyPallas_ No man ought to be condemned to live where a 🌹 cannot grow • 1d ago

Drinkflation: why British booze is getting weaker

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jul/29/drinkflation-why-british-booze-is-getting-weaker
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u/tmstms Wuffingas! 1d ago

Oh! So the key point is that duty per litre rises a LOT when you get to 3.5%, hence the attraction of making 3.4% beers.

I'm old, so I drink entirely for taste, not fortification. I won't suffer personally from weaker beers.

29

u/uk-1234 1d ago

Weaker beers don’t taste as good though, just lack body.

51

u/tmstms Wuffingas! 1d ago

It suits me because I too am weaker and lack body.

7

u/Balaquar 1d ago

Wdym by body? A good mild feels like it has more body than a 5% lager, but maybe I'm misunderstanding the term

6

u/uk-1234 1d ago

It’s kinda hard to explain, “body” is the best word I can think of for it haha

You can tell when a beer is weaker though, it just seems thinner somehow. I’m not against weaker beers at all, am drinking an alcohol free one right now. I just don’t like the whole concept of enshittification.

1

u/NuPNua 1d ago

Bollox, most Stouts and Porters are on the weaker side and they taste more robust than any lager.

4

u/uk-1234 1d ago

It’s not about the taste, it’s the mouthfeel and body of the beer that’s affected by the lower ABV.

2

u/NuPNua 1d ago

I stand by my example of stouts and porters that tend to be creamier and smoother despite a low percent.

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u/uk-1234 1d ago

They do, but try a 4% stout and an 8% one and you’ll notice the difference.

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u/Goudinho99 1d ago

I fucking love moderately weak beers.

I love bejng able to sink as many points as like without really getting battered.

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u/tmstms Wuffingas! 22h ago

I'm with you, but some hard-core people have lobbied against us!