Lion Nathan reduces XXXX strength

Castlemaine Perkins has reduced the alcohol content of XXXX Bitter from 4.8% to 4.6% ABV to coincide with the latest biannual rise in excise.

Provided the excise regime corresponds to alcohol levels, such a move allows brewers to maintain retail price levels for their brands after a rise in excise. However, lowering the alcohol content is not something brewers can do often.

This decrease follows the reduction in July 2007 of Foster’s Victoria Bitter from 4.9% to 4.8% ABV. Most other mainstream ‘heavy’ beers such as Carlton Draught, Tooheys New and West End Draught are about 4.6% ABV.