Carling to water down alcohol content of its lager to 3.4% to save on costs

CARLING is watering down the alcohol content in its iconic lager in a bid to save on costs. The British beer brand is cutting the ABV in its namesake drink from 4% down to 3.4%, with the change coming into force in supermarkets from October. Carling is slashing the ABV of its namesake lager to 3.4% Credit: Stewart Williams It follows a string of major beer brands including Foster’s that have also cut their alcohol content Credit: Reuters Carling is the latest in a string of major beer brands to water down their drinks while not putting down prices, in a trend dubbed “drinkflation”. Foster’s, Coors, Grolsch, Amstel and Carlsberg are among the beers that have been reduced in alcohol strength. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Meanwhile, big names like Guinness and Asahi have ramped up their prices this year. The change announced by Carling means it will pay less tax, after a shake-up to beer duty rates came into force in 2023, punishing brands selling higher-strength lagers and stouts. Beers with an ABV between 1.3% and 3.4% are taxed at a rate of £9.96 per litre of pure alcohol. But those with an ABV between 3.5% and 8.4% must pay a far higher £22.58 per litre. Carling owner Molson Coors insisted the beer would still have the same “perfectly balanced and refreshing” taste despite its lower alcohol content. “Extensive consumer testing has shown that the 3.4% liquid delivers the taste consumers expect from Carling – with the 3.4% lager ranking higher for overall taste,” it told The Grocer. Most read in Money Earlier this year, the brand launched a 4.7% “premium” British lager, called Carling Black Label. The brand has struggled with declining sales in recent years, as shoppers move away from standard lager in favour of posher, foreign beers. Who else is hiking prices and watering down pints? Here are all the other drinks that have been affected: Asahi: The Japanese “Super Dry” lager is set for a price surge in 2026. Bosses warn that tax hikes will “absolutely be passed on” to punters, with fears a pint could jump by 22p to £6.33. Foster’s: The “Amber Nectar” is getting weaker. Heineken cut the ABV from 3.7% to 3.4% from February 2026 to save on tax. San Miguel: Supermarket shoppers have already felt the pain, with the price of a single bottle shooting up by 34p to a hefty £2.55. Coors: The US light lager has already dropped its alcohol level significantly, plummeting from 4% to 3.4%. Sol: The sunshine beer has lost some of its shine, with its strength slashed from 4.2% down to 3.4%. Guinness: The UK’s favourite stout went up in price by 5.2% in April, adding around 4p to the price of a pint. 2 comments2