Recently in Beer Tax Category

Despite a concerted effort from the pub industry - including warnings that the Treasury is actually losing out on tax revenue because of recent rises in beer tax - the chancellor has once again hit publicans with a 2% rise.

While there were accusations last year that the pub industry's lobbying ahead of the 2008 Budget was ineffective and not joined up, that is not something that can be thrown at the sector this time around.

The "Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub" campaign was thorough - including research of MPs, consumers as well as publicans - and high-profile, including a demonstration outside Parliament.

It just seems that alcohol is too easy a target for a chancellor already on the ropes over public debt, wrong estimates and various other recession related issues.

The BBPA is this afternoon warning that the latest tax rise signs a "death warrant" for the British pub, while the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said the Budget proves the chancellor "doesn't give a XXXX" for British pubs.

It is just a shame that Darling hasn't managed to grasp the seriousness of the situation.

Let us know your thoughts.

There's more trouble ahead for the pub trade, with enforcement activity on the up and, of course, further legislation in the offing.

Still, legislation takes a while to push through Parliament - even the flagship Policing and Crime Bill - so the Home Office has a bit of free-time on its hands.

So in a move about as welcome as a warm lager, officials have been running a series of free roadshows for council licensing officers to encourage more enforcement activity against pubs.

Councils themselves are particularly keen on enforcement activity, as due to the tough environment for pubs, variations and applications for new licences have tailed off and there's a revenue shortfall for many.

Still, you'd hope the police would rise above all this populist nonsense and apply some commonsense to the issue of problem drinking, taking a lead were politicians will not. Well, in a word, no.

Poor Alastair Darling, embattled chancellor of the exchequer.Hated by the pub industry after his merciless hike in alcohol duty in this year's Budget the man is even barred from his local, Punch Taverns owned Red Lion as a result.

As the UK economy splutters and Bank of England head Melvyn King hums "There may be trouble ahead" in his ear, it seems everyone's happy to have a laugh at his expense.

Kitchen Rat was more willing to raise a glass to JD Wetherspoon's latest advertising campaign the budget beer purveyor is promoting Abbot's Ale for a wallet friendly £2.39, along with a range of other keenly priced tipples under the poster headline - you've guessed it - "Move Over Darling".

It's enough to make a man furrow his (strangely dark) brow.

Punch Taverns gives chancellor knockout blow>>

Government fails to disclose beer tax motives>>

In the same week that the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) lost its battle with the Government to freeze alcohol duties it emerged that its chief executive Rob Hayward spent Friday afternoon at Cheltenham watching Denman win the Gold Cup.

Nice to see Rob getting in some pints before the prices go up on Sunday. We hope he had some money on Denman because he might need his winnings to cover the cost of a round on Monday. Enjoy it while it lasts Rob!