Tax reform to threaten “third beer”
First Happoshu, legally falling outside the beer category due to low malt content, was introduced to dodge beer taxes. Taxes were increased on Happoshu, and its exploding popularity quickly tapered off. Brewers fought back with “third beer,” made with no malt content at all. This, too, followed suit with explosive sales growth, but once again it looks like the government will put an end to the party with tax reforms. Brewers are attempting to fight the proposal, but if this goes through it seems they won’t have any other loophole for pseudo-beer on the cheap. Just-drinks.com has the story.
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