British brewers cut alcohol content to maintain beer prices and profits

Brewers in the UK are reducing the alcohol content in their beers to maintain prices at the same level and not take a hit in the bottom line. Greene King, a brewer and pub chain, cut the alcohol content of its Old Speckled Hen pale ale to 4.8 percent from five percent. Shepherd Neame, the oldest brewer in the UK, cut the alcohol in its Bishops Finger ale to 5.2 percent from 5.4 percent.