Brewing industry groups have lamented the "hammer blow" that was yesterday's Budget announcement.
Many in the sector had hoped that rising taxation on alcohol would be halted with an end to the duty escalator, which raises alcohol duty by two per cent above inflation.
However, chancellor George Osborne confirmed that the escalator would stay in place, meaning that beer duty will rise by 7.2 per cent from March 30th.
Reacting to the news, British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmons expressed her disappointment that the escalator was not scrapped, saying it was clearly a "failed policy".
"Increasing the tax on beer in line with other types of drinks is also a missed opportunity to recognise beer's wider economic contribution," she added.
The Society of Independent Brewers recently revealed that although the UK beer sector experienced a small slump in 2011, the demand for independently-brewed ales has risen by nine per cent in the last 12 months.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the brewing industry includes:
Conveyors – screw conveyors – chain conveyors – belt conveyors
