UK Budweiser, Stella Artois & Beck’s Lowering ABV to 4.8%

Beginning in 2012, Anheuser-Busch / InBev will be lowering the ABV of three of their popular brands in the UK.  Beginning in Feb 2012, Stella Artois, Budweiser & Beck;s in the UK will drop from 5% ABV to 4.8% ABV.  AB/InBev is attributing the change to “evolving trends in beer in the UK",” and also citing the recent shift by Parliament to “encourage” brewers to brew lower ABV brews, but insiders cite the pure cost savings as the likely reason.  With resistance in the UK to price hikes or smaller packages, AB/InBev can save an estimated £8.5 Million a year in duties for Stella Artois alone….so the move makes sense.  AB/InBev did confirm this change is for the UK-only.