Sober N Clean

Boozy Brits are set for the worst New Year hangover ever – thanks to new super-strength beers flooding the UK.

In the past 12 months potent foreign brews have taken the country by storm.

Supermarkets are now stocking strong overseas lagers such as 11% Kasteel Blonde, 10% La Trappe Quadrupel Strong Ale and 9% Chimay Blue.

And the new arrivals have proved a huge hit with drinkers who are lapping up the powerful imports.

But the lethal ales are set to leave Brits more worse for wear than ever on New Year’s Day as we are not used to handling the strong tipples.

Frank Sooden, spokesman for Alcohol Concern, said: “Shop-bought alcohol is now more affordable than ever. As a result alcohol at home is replacing pub culture.

“At the same time we have seen a migration away from low alcohol to stronger alcoholic drinks.

“The problem is people don’t realise how many units are contained in these new drinks.

“Because of this there will be very few people in the country who avoid the dreaded New Year’s Day hangover.” Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda are all cashing in on the craze for beers with alcohol contents pushing 10%.

Other dynamite imported drinks include 8.7% Hoegaarden Grand Cru, 8% King Cobra and 7.5% Meantime India Pale Ale.

And there are also a host of home-produced beverages following suit, including 9% Hog’s Back A Over T, 7.2% Brakspear Triple, and 6.3% Adnams Broadside Strong Original.

Even ordinarily-brewed import beers have upped the ante with alcohol contents regularly topping 5%.

But the success of the super-strength potions is now facing a backlash from ministers who fear they are damaging the country’s health.

MPs are campaigning to raise tax on beers with a particularly high alcohol content to try to stop customers turning to the dynamite drinks.

Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: “It’s an obvious observation that drinks are getting stronger.
“There are many more of these designer beers and lagers around.

“People need to be aware that if they do drink to excess they lose control and run great risks, including getting the next-day hangover.”

source: Daily Star