Britain 's beer is getting weaker , with popular lagers such as Stella Artois and Budweiser reducing alcohol content . Britain 's beer is getting weaker thanks to the rise in popularity of low-strength tipples and more health-conscious drinkers . Despite the UK 's reputation as a country which enjoys a pint , two billion fewer units of alcohol were consumed over the last two years , according to official figures . The decline is largely because the strength of alcoholic drinks has fallen from an average of 4.42 per cent to 4.14 per cent over the two years , a report by the Department of Health says . Increasingly health-conscious drinkers are also playing a part , the Sunday Telegraph reported , with a sharp rise in choice of lower-strength booze . Brewers are also responding to lower tax rates imposed on beers with 2.8 per cent or less alcohol . The change in levy was followed by a number of brewers weakening their products , including Carlsberg 's Skol lager dropping from three per cent to 2.8 per cent . Stronger lagers , such as Becks , Stella Artois and Budweiser , also reduced their alcohol levels from 5 per cent to 4.8 per cent , while John Smith 's Extra Smooth bitter falling from 3.8 to 3.6 per cent . Low-strength lagers introduced in recent years include beer-citrus fusions such as Carling Zest ( 2.8 per cent ) , Carlsberg Citrus ( 2.8 per cent ) and Foster 's Radler ( two per cent ) . Brigid Simmons , chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said : 'British brewers have responded to consumer demand for a greater range and choice of lower-strength beers , many with new flavours and ingredients . 'We ’ ve seen the Government ’ s decision to give 50 per cent tax relief to lower-strength beers combining with a growth in interest among consumers for lower-strength drinks like beer , that are also lower in calories . ' While the number of units of alcohol consumed has decreased over the last years , Britain still gets through more alcohol per head than most other nations . The news comes a month after official figures showed the number of under-25s who do not drink at all has increased by 40 per cent in eight years . A quarter of young people do not drink at all and binge drinking is falling , but Britain still drinks more alcohol per head than most other countries . Tom Smith , from Alcohol Concern , said : 'While we welcome the decrease in the number of alcohol units in the market , we can ’ t ignore the fact our NHS and communities continue to strain under the burden of alcohol harms . '
Britain consumed two billion fewer units of alcohol over the last two years . Strength of booze has fallen from average of 4.42 per cent to 4.14 per cent . Beer is getting weaker as people start buying more low-strength tipples . Brewers are also being given tax breaks for making beers with less alcohol . Budweiser , Becks and Stella Artois have all lowered their alcohol content .