Family-run Harrogate brewery to cut price of a pint as part of campaign against high rates of beer tax in UK

Customers at a Harrogate bar will pay less for their pints later this week as part of a national campaign over high tax levels on beer.

Rooster’s Taproom will pouring pints at Germany’s lower tax rates as one of 65 venues in the UK flying the flag in Drop the Pint Day.

It’s all part of an ongoing campaign by The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) to highlight and change a situation where the UK has one of the highest rates of tax on pub pints in Europe.

First opened in 2019 when the award-winning, family-run brewery expanded from its Knaresborough site to its current headquarters at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate, Rooster’s Taproom will be offering approximately 50p off selected pints on Drop the Pint Day on Friday, October 9.

Rooster’s Taproom in Harrogate will pouring pints at Germany’s lower tax rates as one of 65 venues in the UK flying the flag in Drop the Pint Day. (Picture contributed)

Independently-owned brewery Rooster's Brewing Co a member of SIBA and often supports their nationwide campaigns.

The headline duty rate in Germany is five pence a pint of beer compared to 55 pence in the UK, ten times as high.

SIBA argues the Chancellor of the Exchequer has the power to cut tax specifically on beer that is sold in pubs via the hand pulls and keg taps.

The ‘so-called’ Draught Relief is currently set at a 13.9% reduced rate. Independent brewers believe that boosting this could create jobs, help grow the economy and give a boost to pubs and breweries across the UK.

Last month saw SIBA launch the Drop the Tap Tax Campaign which asks beer drinkers to sign the petition and write to their MP ahead of the Budget on Wednesday, October 28 when the Chancellor will make a decision on alcohol tax levels for next year.

SIBA says pubs and breweries are one of the most highly taxed sectors in the UK with breweries paying 40% of their turnover in tax.

New research by the Centre for Economic and Business Research shows that expanding Draught Relief to 50% could see 56 million extra pints being poured, create 7,663 extra jobs and contribute £310 million to the economy.