APPRECIATORS of super-strength lager’s complex flavours feel they have been ignored in Rachel Reeves’ budget. 

The reduction in duty on draught beers, applauded by normal drinkers, does not extend to more challenging high-percentage lagers favoured by connoisseurs and traditionally enjoyed on park benches.

64-year-old bon viveur Roy Hobbs, of no fixed abode, said: “I appreciate powerful, reasonably priced lager on a purely aesthetic level.

“However there is a stigma attached to lager of a strength above 8%, specifically the ridiculous notion that it is the preserve of so-called ‘pissheads’. 

“Surely we need to encourage more people to enjoy the sublime pleasures of Spesh or Super T, and also mysterious Eastern European shit called things like ‘Teufelhammer 12%’ that you only get in corner shops.

“A modest reduction in price would achieve a greater uptake of these fine drinks, and would also be helpful when you’re scraping together a handful of small change to buy your next can. 

“I would ask Rachel Reeves to consider an additional emergency budget, specifically reducing duty on drinks such as Kestrel Super, and perhaps also budget fortified wines such as MD 20/20. For the ladies, obviously.”

A Treasury spokesperson said there were no current plans to make extra-strength lagers cheaper, but if you are that desperate you could always try drinking lighter fluid.

Hobbs added: “May I ask, do you have some change? Perhaps a pound. I need to avail myself of a bus.”