Carling lager is weaker than advertised, the brewers Moulson Coors have claimed in court.

Sold as having 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) Carling, once Carling Black Label, has been brewed at 3.7% for the last five years, to cut the tax to be paid say Moulson Coors. The brewers were responding to a court case brought against them by HMRC for the extra £50 million owed on a 4% lager over a three year period, and said the reason they had not gone public with their tax-cutting policy was due to fear that their wholesalers and retailers would demand a cut.

Presumably the Canadian firm will now belatedly advise their customers of the ABV reduction.