Chancellor George Osborne wielded the final blow for the brewing industry with yet another 10p price increase as a result of a rise in duty, handing the drinks market on a plate to the supermarkets.
Evan-Evans, Wales’ internationally award winning brewer, has decided to help licensees through these difficult times and to price its beers so that licensees do not have to increase their beer prices.
Evan-Evans chief executive Simon Buckley said:
“We have brewed beer here in Wales since 1767 and the current crisis in the pub sector is going to see hundreds, if not thousands, of pubs close across the UK. Rural pubs are now under great threat of closure.
“We as a brewery are determined to support our licensees through these difficult times and to make sure that they can compete by using our brands to offer customers beer at pre-duty price increases for the summer and autumn. They will not need to increase prices on our beers.
“We have brought out a new pricing structure that will allow licensees the opportunity, by using our brands, to not only off-set the price of the new Duty price increase but also to offer better value for money options against their competitive pubs.
“We say no to the Duty increase and have put our money where our mouth is!
“Now is the time for the Welsh licensee to support their local brewery and to see what we can offer them to fight this crazy Duty increase.
“Pubs throughout Wales have already experienced significant price increases from the national and regional brewers. With an ever increasing demand for local, now is the time for the consumer to demand good locally-brewed beer and to support the local pub.”
