Scotland is set to be impacted by an alcohol duty shake-up in the next few years - which will benefit people who prefer weaker drinks.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the Budget yesterday, announcing changes to a swath of UK-wide matters.
A lot of the economy was covered in the Budget, but punters in Scotland will want to know how these laws will hit them at the pub.
The Budget revealed an overhaul of alcohol duties that will also go into effect in Scotland in 2023.
Scotland's laws set down minimum unit pricing, which is not a real tax as such. As it happens, the proceeds from minimum unit pricing go to retailers.
The Alcohol Minimum Pricing Act 2012 introduces a statutory minimum price for alcohol, initially 50p per unit, as an element in the programme to counter alcohol problems.
Meanwhile, the UK's system of alcohol duties, which dates back to 1643, was branded "outdated, complex and full of historical anomalies" by the Chancellor.
This means the overhaul will impact Scotland too and some drinks will see their duty levels rise due to high alcohol levels.
As for Scots buying booze in pubs and supermarkets, expect to see some changes as outlined here.
Beer
A pint of Guinness, Stella Artois or San Miguel in a pub will see its tax rate drop by 3p.
Brewers are among the big winners expected to benefit from changes, with many expecting lower duty in both retail stores and pubs as a result of the new "draught relief".
- Stella Artois - no change in shops, 3p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.80 a pint
- Guinness - no change in shops, 3p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £4.20 a pint
- Fosters - no change in shops, 3p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.20 a pint
- Carling - no change in shops, 3p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.70 a pint
- San Miguel - no change in shops, 3p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £4 a pint
- Stella Artois - no change in shops, 3p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.80 a pint
- San Miguel - 22p less tax in shops, taking average bottle to £1.25. 25p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.50 a pint
- San Miguel - 22p less tax in shops, taking average bottle to £1.25. 25p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.50 a pint
Wine
Those who love red wine will unfortunately be hit by a new higher duty on wine on strong alcohol levels.
The duty change will result in a bottle of £7 Hardy's VR merlot facing an increase of around 5%, with a tax hike of 35p.
JP Chenet Sauvignon Blanc - 12p less tax in shops, taking average bottle to £9
Porta and Vinho Verde - 47p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £9
Hardy's VR Merlot - 35p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £7
Campo Veijo Rioja Gran Reserva - 47p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £16
Echo Falls Zinfandel - 23p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £6.50
Blossom Hill Rose - 12p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £8
Fizz
An £8.50 bottle of 11% ABV (alcohol by volume) Canti Prosecco would see its tax reduce by 87p, while a bottle of Chapel Down's 12% sparkling wine would see a 64p tax reduction for retail.
- Plaza Centro Prosecco - 87p less tax in shops, taking average bottle to £7
- Canti Prosecco - 87p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £8.50
- Frexinet Prosecco - 64p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £10
- Martini Asti - £1.07 less tax in shops, taking average spend to £7.50
- Chapel Down English Sparking Wine - 64p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £18
Whisky
For one, the whisky industry is very happy.
An unexpected freeze on alcohol duty will boost the industry with some of the lowest tax rates in over a 100 years. Whisky makers had been lobbying against a planned increase in duty.
Spirits
Lower-strength spirits such as Baileys and Malibu will also benefit as their tax rates are due to reduce by 41p and 50p per bottle, respectively.
Baileys and Malibu 41p and 50p per bottle respectively.
Smirnoff Vodka - no change in shops
Famous Grouse Whisky - no change in shops
Gordon's Pink Gin and Tonic - 9p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £1.80
Jack Daniel's and Cola - 12p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £2
Pimm's No 1 Cup and Lemonade - 10p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £1.80
Malibu and Pina Colada - 9p less tax in shops, taking average spend to £1.60
Cider
Cider lovers will see just a 2p discount when ordering pints.
Some ciders, like Magners and Strongbow, will receive a lower tax rate in pubs due to the draught relief.
These will see a drop of roughly 2p in tax at the pumps and 0.5p in shops.
Meanwhile, small cider makers are also due to benefit from the introduction of a Small Producers Relief similar to the subsidy scheme for small UK beer producers.
- Strongbow - 0.5p less tax in shops, taking average can to 61p. 2p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.50
- Magners - 0.5p less tax in shops, taking average can to 71p. 2p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.50
- Stowford Press- 0.5p less tax in shops, taking average can to 75p. 2p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.55
- Thatcher's Gold - 1p more tax in shops, taking average can to 71p. 2p less tax in pubs, taking average spend to £3.50
- Frosty Jacks - 45p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £3.70
- Ace Cider - 45p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £3.99
Fortified wine
The changes will also have a heavy impact on the price of popular fortified wines.
Port and madeira will be particularly hard hit, with typical bottles of 20% strength port likely to see increases of over £1 in their tax.
- Buckfast - 81p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £8.50
- Harvey's Sherry - 51p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £12
- Croft Sherry - 51p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £12.50
- Taylor's Port - £1.09 more tax in shops, taking average spend to £15
- Cockburn's Port - £1.09 more tax in shops, taking average spend to £12
- Blandy's Duke of Clarence Maderia - 86p more tax in shops, taking average spend to £12
