Crying in their real beer

MEMBERS of the beer consumers group, The Campaign For Real Ale, have hit out at the penny increase in excise duty on a pint of beer, announced in this week's Budget.

Mike Benner, head of campaigns, described the increase as "a blow to consumers after freezes in the last two Budgets indicated a more sensible approach from the Government".

And he added that the only people to be "overjoyed" by the increase would be the beer smugglers.

Members of the group are now urging pub owners not to increase bar prices by more than the nominal duty increase.