Australia’s iconic Victoria Bitter (VB) beer is about to become less boozy after Foster’s brewery announced it will cut the drink’s alcohol content to lower its tax bill.
Foster’s said while the alcohol content was on the hop — to be cut from 4,9% to 4,8% — the taste would remain the same.
“I think I’d be lynched if we changed the taste of VB,” spokesperson Ben Wicks said.
The reduction in alcohol content in Australia’s most popular beer is expected to cut the amount of excise tax Foster’s pays by as much as Aus$10-million (US$8,5-million) a year.
The new VB will go on sale in late August, about the same time as Foster’s raises the price of the drink by about 2% to bring it in line with inflation. — AFP