Plan B Forum

A Cornish food and drinks producer is at the centre of a row over whether its nettles brew is a beer.



Helston-based brewer Foodswild has been issued with a tax bill of £10,000 from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

HMRC says under EU rules beer must contain malt and the Cornish Stingers drink is a "made wine", on which duty is about twice that of beer.

Foodswild says Stingers is a beer and a Cornish MEP has called on European officials to clear up the dispute.

The results of a review are expected in the next two weeks.

The EU rules state beer can only be beer if it contains malt, but Foodswild founder Miles Lavers said it would not be changing the ingredients.

"It's a natural product made from nettles," he said.

"We want to make more products like dandelion beer so this is very important to us.

"There's a chance now because they are trying to find a new duty bracket for us."

Conservative MEP Ashley Fox said: "Cornish Stingers is a beer pure and simple. It has been made for centuries to the same recipe.

"The fact that some Eurocrat in Brussels decides that beer is only beer if malt is added should not be an issue.

"We must try to make it easier for small businesses to operate, not tie them up with excessive rules."

HMRC was unavailable for comment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-12518380

Sean wrote:The twats are only thinking of their pockets...

Beer is made from cereal. Wine is made from fruit, flowers or green shit.

Easy distinction.