CAMRA has welcomed alcohol tax reforms in the budget as “brilliant” news for small brewers and cider makers, but says changes are needed to avoid a stealth ban on takeaway pints.

The Campaign says the devil is in the details as the pouring of draught beer or cider by pubs into growlers or other containers for drinking at home will be banned.

CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said: “Despite our formal representations and extensive engagement with the Treasury, a workable solution to allow pubs and social clubs to make incidental takeaway draught sales has not been found.

“It’s good that specialist bottle shops will be able to buy casks and kegs with the general duty rate paid on them to make takeaway sales, but most publicans – who the draught duty rate is designed to benefit – won’t be able to afford or accommodate extra draught containers just to make takeaway sales.

“This, if implemented, will equate to a stealth ban on takeaway pints and is extremely disappointing for licensees and consumers, and especially designated drivers that like to take away a pint or two to enjoy responsibly at home. We will continue to campaign for a workable solution.”

On the new draught duty rate for beer and cider Nik said CAMRA has campaigned for many years to secure a draught duty rate.

“We are pleased that this has come to fruition. We particularly welcome the confirmation that traditional gravity dispense will be captured within the new, lower, duty rate.

“With the chancellor extending the differential between the general and draught duty rates to 9.2 per cent in the Budget, we look forward to campaigning to further increase that differential to the benefit of pubs, social clubs, and consumers."

On the confirmation that the reforms will apply in Northern Ireland Nik said: “We are pleased to see confirmation that the reforms will apply to Northern Ireland, including the Small Producer Relief Scheme. Northern Ireland has a growing independent small beer and cider scene, and those producers need to be supported in their quest to increase choice for consumers.”