Mircrobrewers cautiously raise glass to tax relief

"A win for the craft brewing industry but not the slam-dunk we would have liked."

That appears to be the prevailing view of the supporters and customers of Ireland’s growing micro-brewery sector in response to the extension of tax relief to the sector announced by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

The relief that reduces the standard rate of Alcohol Products Tax by 50% on beers produced in micro-breweries which produce not more than 20,000 hectolitres per annum is being extended to apply to micro- breweries which produce not more than 30,000 hectolitres per annum.