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Brewers pour scorn on talk of price rises
THE Island's breweries have denied that the price of a pint is set to rise.
They have also attacked the cost of supermarket alcohol.
Martin Brunnschweiler, managing director of Bushy's, said: 'I can say with my hand on my heart that there are no increases in the pipeline, though we will review the position come spring.'
He added: 'I feel in the current climate we would struggle with further levies, though if the duty is increased in the budget we would, very reluctantly, add this to the cost of a pint.
'The last thing we want to do is discourage customers. All Bushy's pubs have absorbed the 2.5 per cent VAT hike introduced on January 1.
'The main problem is supermarkets, which sell lagers and cider as loss leaders.
'It's immoral when the price of a can of beer is cheaper than the equivalent sized bottle of water.
'When people are out drinking socially in a pub, there is an element of control, which may not be present at home,' he said.
'From a wholesale perspective I can say categorically that the prices won't be going up,' said Steve Mitchell, wholesale manager of Heron & Brearley.
'Any rises will be up to the individual bars themselves, but Guinness will be going up and I'm afraid that will have to be passed on. We reduced our prices last year and, to be honest, is was completely useless. It just hit our bottom line. Too many people are drinking at home, sometimes to excess, whereas in the pub there is control.
'It's got to the stage that some pubs now buy stock from supermarkets. It's that cheap.'
'There have been calls from the brewery trade magazines to implement a minimum 50 pence per unit levy on supermarket prices to stop them selling it so cheaply.'
Angela Aston, spokesperson for the Campaign for Real Ale, said: 'CAMRA figures for the cost of bitters and ales on the Isle of Man will not be finalised until late February.
'Looking forward, the budget usually adds to the price of a pint, which I believe is disproportionate.
'Firstly, as bitter drinkers, it's not dreadfully strong, it's a local product, it's good for the environment, an enjoyable social event and in moderation.
'Why not tax binge drinkers instead?
'What message is it sending out when Tesco are able to promote a case of 18 cans of Stella Artois or Strongbow for 5 — that's simply appalling.
'I would predict a steep rise in underage drinking and liver damage if alcoholic drink is available at these prices.
'We support the call in the UK for a minimum charge of 50 pence per unit, it could only be a good thing.'
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
