Why popular beer is having alcohol strength slashed as angry Brits feel there is ‘no point drinking’ it anymore

A popular beer is having its alcohol strength slashed – and Brits aren’t happy about it.

Generally, the average beer has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of between 4-7 percent.

However, one major brand is reducing the ABV of a popular beer and it’s not gone down well with punters.

Grolsch Premium Pilsner beer is going to have even less alcohol in it from now on (Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images)

The Grocer reports that Grolsch Premium Pilsner beer is going to have even less alcohol in it from now on.

According to them, sales of the beer in the UK have been gradually falling.

Although the ABV for Grolsch in the rest of Europe is five percent ABV, it will now be 1.6 percent weaker in the UK.

Why is Grolsch becoming less boozy?

A spokesperson for distributor Asahi UK told The Grocer: “Following much analysis, we decided to reformulate Grolsch to a new abv of 3.4%, which went into market earlier this year.

“We are confident this still delivers an excellent premium beer that will appeal to a broad range of consumers.”

Apparently, weakening the strength will save Aashi UK around 23p in excise duty for every 440ml can of Grolsch sold.

But could it put Brits off the drink for good?



Online reaction

Well, there’s a mixed response online.

One person wrote: “Another once decent beer, ruined by the accountants and the tax man. I used to be quite partial to the old 5.0% Grolsch on draught a few years back.

“Just who exactly are these 3.4% beers aimed at?”

While another said: “Grolsch, now alternatively known as p**s.”

And a third added: “@Grolsch_UK just thought I’d let you know that 3.4% is not a premium pilsner is anyone’s book but yours.

“I hope there will be a price drop correlated with the drop in strength?”

While a fourth added: “At 3.4% there is no point drinking it.”

Brits aren’t happy with the changes (Getty Stock Photo)

Recently, we told you how beer drinkers were left stunned when they made a surprising revelation about Madri.

The European-style beverage was first introduced to pubs back in 2020 and quickly became one of the best selling lagers in the UK by 2022.

However, some people are only just realising that the lager is produced by Molson Coors Brewing Company Limited and is actually made in the UK.

Karen Albert, Premium Brands Director of Molson Coors Beverage Company, has opened up on why the beer is made over here and not in Spain.

She said: “Madrí Excepcional was created through a unique collaboration between Molson Coors and La Sagra Brewery, which is based close to Madrid, combining the craft and skill of innovative Spanish brewer Carlos Garcia at La Sagra and our Molson Coors master brewers in the UK.

“Our partnership with Carlos and La Sagra is built on celebrating this fusion of British and Spanish culture, taking inspiration from the vibrancy and diversity of modern Madrid.

“We’ve brought events to major cities across the UK, with performances from Spanish and British musicians, street food celebrating both cultures and murals created by Madrid street artists in collaboration with British artists.

“Brewing Madrí Excepcional here in the UK enables us to deliver efficiently, quickly respond to demand and, crucially, to make our beers more sustainably. Brewing in the UK reduces the miles travelled from brewery to bar or shelf and all our beers in the UK are produced using 100% renewable electricity through a power purchase agreement.”