The Bastards..!!!

THE alcohol content of Victoria Bitter is to be cut as brewer Foster's tries to slash millions of dollars from its tax bill.


Foster's will also raise the wholesale price of all its packaged beers by about 2 per cent next month.

Industry experts say the VB alcohol content reduction – from 4.9 per cent to 4.8 per cent – could save Foster's $20million in beer tax a year.

"We will be making a saving in the excise tax," VB spokesman Ben Wicks confirmed.

But the company has assured drinkers the taste of the iconic VB will stay the same.

"It certainly doesn't affect the taste, which is very important to our VB drinkers," VB spokesman Ben Wicks said.

"The taste will stay exactly the same. Our master brewers have done a lot of work to make sure of that."

He said the drop in alcohol content would not affect the number of standard drinks per serve in a VB stubbie or can, which will remain at 1.4.

The alcohol content cut and the price changes, which Fosters says are based on the Consumer Price Index and an increase in production costs – will take effect in August. , at the same time price increases – which Fosters' says are based on CPI and an increase in production costs – take effect.

The lower-alcohol VB will start appearing in bottle shops from late August.

Mark Bowles, industry analyst at IBISWorld, said the drop in alcohol content would mean a "significant saving" for Foster's.

"Our estimate would be that they could save potentially between $10 million and $20 million," Mr Bowles said.

More conservative estimates put the excise saving at $5 million to $10 million.

Mr Bowles said Foster's had just under half the Australian beer market; Lion Nathan was the next biggest player at around 30 per cent.

He said beer sales were showing a long-term decline, but overall spending on beer was rising because of a shift towards premium brands.

Mr Wicks said excise savings would be re-invested in the brand, particularly the new VB Midstrength and the popular annual summer promotion featuring collectible figurines.

In 2003, the Herald Sun reported the alcohol content of Carlton Draught and Carlton Cold packaged beers had been reduced to 4.6 per cent from 4.9 per cent in 2002.

According to Turning Point alcohol expert Robin Room, the slight drop in the alcohol content of VB would "not make much difference" to alcohol consumption.

Foster's said its wholesale price rises from next month were based on the Consumer Price Index and an increase in production costs.

Yup time to start drinking Calton Draught I reckon. I also reckon CUB will see a massive drop in the sale of VB.

Tricky buggers. 4.8 must put it in a lower excise category. WTF does the Dept of Fair Trading do these days?

It's so nice to see that Fosters will be passing on the saving to their customers...

Less alcohol per can = you have to drink more. Them saying that it isn't affected is BS.

Raising the price when they are saving $420mill is also BS.

Hello Jack, hello Jim...

Why would you drink Visitor's Beer by choice, anyway?

So they reduce the alcohol content to save millions of dollars and then raise the price.
The good thing is they claim that the taste is not affected. It tastes like shite any way. Good old Tooheys only changed their name. Remember Tooheys draught used to be the equivelant to Tooheys New. One was tap the other bottle.

As long as the ALDI beer hasn't changed - we're good...

just helped with the install at fosters(CUB) brisbane of some new tanks for holding bulk bourbon and scoth for them to start making pre mixers here in brisbane , there are also alot of expansions planned there for the next few years as they are either closing or reducing the production at the southern plants.

its just a petty my van/truck gets checked as i leave

hahahahaha
hehehe


I OWN shares in Fosters
MORE PROFITS = MORE DIVIDENDS
and HIGHER share prices
plus shareholders get discount beer and wine

anyway, their drops are a good thing to neck...when thirsty
you go Trev



cheers (have a drink you lot)
Smitty

Last edited by Smitty on Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Why would you drink Visitor's Beer by choice, anyway?

Agree 100%.

4.9 - 4.8 and the taste doesn't change

leave it at 4.9 and fix the taste, sounds better

it's shit beer anyway !!

Vicious Bitch juice

Why would you drink Visitor's Beer by choice, anyway?

Agree 100%.

4.9 - 4.8 and the taste doesn't change

leave it at 4.9 and fix the taste, sounds better

hahaha how true is that!!

Vomit Brew....its disgusting....

That's what ya get for drinkin shit beer, don't see Toohey's doin that

As long as the ALDI beer hasn't changed - we're good...

Dave like the Blue cans hahahaha