Beer enthusiasts across the UK are set to experience a significant change to a beloved pint, as Foster's lager will have its alcohol content reduced starting February 2026.
What's Changing with Foster's Lager?
Heineken UK, the company behind the popular Australian-branded lager, has confirmed it will decrease the alcohol by volume (ABV) of Foster's. The current strength of 3.7% will be lowered, allowing the company to benefit from government duty reductions applied to lower-strength beverages.
A spokesperson for Heineken UK explained the move, stating: "The decision to adjust the ABV of Foster's reflects our commitment to helping consumers make responsible choices, while supporting pubs and retailers with a competitively priced classic lager."
Recipe Refined for Unchanged Taste
The company has moved to reassure loyal drinkers that the iconic taste of Foster's will remain. The spokesperson emphasised that master brewers spent months refining the new recipe to ensure the beer stays "crisp, balanced and refreshing."
Heineken UK also confirmed that the new formulation has undergone extensive consumer testing and successfully delivers the same great taste and experience that people expect from the brand. This is not the first such adjustment from the brewer; earlier this year, the ABV of the Mexican beer Sol was also reduced to 3.4%.
Broader Industry Pressure and Price Hikes
This shift in product strategy occurs against a backdrop of wider financial pressure on the alcohol industry. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has issued a warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
They caution that implementing an anticipated 4.5% RPI-linked duty increase will lead to substantial price rises for consumers. The combined effect of this duty hike, along with VAT, means that nearly £1 will be added to the cost of a bottle of wine or gin between January 2025 and the projected February 2026 duty implementation.
Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the WSTA, is urging the government to reconsider: "We are calling on Rachel Reeves to stop pouring away Treasury funds and scrap crippling duty hikes... Higher costs mean tougher choices for local pubs."
This sentiment is echoed by industry leaders like Angus Lilley, Managing Director at Treasury Wine Estates, who highlighted the strain on the hospitality sector and the risk of making it less affordable for consumers.
