IT’S been a tough year for beer lovers as a number of top tipples have been axed from pub shelves.
Big names from Carlsberg to Fullers have decided to call time on a few of their boozy drinks in a blow to punters.
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If you are planning a trip to your nearest supermarket or pub ahead of Christmas, check out the list below to make sure your favourite has not been axed…
CARLSBERG DITCHES EIGHT CLASSICS
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has ditched eight classic British cask beers this year.
The decision went down badly with real ale enthusiasts and fans loyal to the brand.
The Campaign for Real Ale was the first to spot the de-listing, slamming the decision as “another example of a globally owned business wiping out UK brewing heritage”.
They said: “I hope that this change will mean space on the bar for licensees to stock guest beers from local independent breweries, but realistically, I suspect this isn’t what CMBC plans.
“This loss of consumer choice is the inevitable outcome of a brewing conglomerate run by accountants and the bottom line.”
The beers axed included:
- Banks’s Mild
- Banks’s Sunbeam
- Bombardier (keg)
- Eagle IPA
- Jennings Cumberland Ale
- Mansfield Dark Smooth (keg)
- Mansfield Original Bitter (keg)
- Marston’s Old Empire
- Marston’s 61 Deep
- Ringwood Boondoggle
- Ringwood Old Thumper
At the time, fans took to social media to share their devastation, with one writing: “I am boycotting all of these mega-corporations like Marstons.”
The manufacturer has confirmed that the beers will be discontinued at the end of December, so you may see them disappear over the Christmas period.
HEINEKEN SLIVER
Back in 2022, Dutch lager giant Heineken launched a new 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) tipple designed to suit “lighter drinking” customers.
But reports made in The Grocer said the beer was no longer being stocked in supermarkets.
It is also currently not available to buy from supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda, but it is still advertised on the beer makers’ website.
The product has received mixed reviews, with one customer comparing its taste to “stewed vegetables” while another said it was “very refreshing”.
The Sun has contacted Heniken for comment.
FULLER’S BENGAL LANCER BEER
The Indian pale ale was a hit with punters but Fuller’s said earlier this year they would stop production of the beer.
It was pale in colour and has a bitter flavour – with notes of malt biscuit, caramelised orange, apricot and spicy hops.
Fuller’s, which runs 400 pubs across the UK, served the brew on tap – while the bottles were available in supermarkets and off-licences for £3 to £4.
The company confirmed the news on X, after a disgruntled punter asked: “Has your supply of Bengal Lancer in the bottle dried up? My usual haunt can’t seem to get it in.”
A Fuller’s representative replied: “I’m sorry to let you know but we’ve discontinued Bengal Lancer.
“Sorry for any disappointment caused and we hope you’ll continue to enjoy our other Fuller’s beers.”
It’s still available to buy at The London Liquor store, with an eight-pack costing £19.92.
OTHER DISCONTINUED BEERS
It’s not the first time beer and larger companies have axed tippels.
Drinkers have been campaigning to get Carling Premier back in to supermarkets after its manufacturer Molson Coors said it was no longer viable to produce in cans.
Late last year, Guinness also axed its Cold Brew Coffee Beer just 18 months after it launched in the UK.
Elsewhere, Heineken reduced the alcohol content of John Smiths Extra Smooth from 3.6% to 3.4% ABV at the start of the year.
The drinks company said the decision to make the bitter weaker was to promote healthy drinking.
Last year, Carlsberg lowered its pilsner to 3.4% from 3.8% ABV.
Meanwhile, an investigation by The Sun found alcohol levels in popular supermarket wines have been cut — but the prices have not followed suit.
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
