Overview
- The November Budget set an alcohol duty increase in line with inflation, using the September 2025 RPI of 4.5% from February 1, 2026.
- UK alcohol duty is charged per litre of pure alcohol, with current bands at £9.61 for 1.3–3.4% ABV and £21.01 for 3.5–8.4% ABV.
- Heineken UK will reduce Foster's from 3.7% ABV to 3.4% from February 2026 to qualify for the lower duty band.
- The company says recipe refinements and consumer testing preserve the beer’s taste while promoting more responsible choices.
- Heineken previously lowered Sol to 3.4% ABV, signaling wider shifts as brewers seek to moderate price rises through reformulation.