American news is generally a little too fair and balanced for my tastes, so I get a lot of my news from our friends across the pond. Because of that, I read an article a few days ago outlining the Tories’ plan to raise taxes on strong beer, cider, and malt beverages.

Now, let me open up with the obvious: I support taxing malternatives for the same reason I support taxing Abercrombie and Fitch: they’re just too highly correlated with sociopathic behavior (because this is a serious blog about serious topics, I’ll refrain from any terminology that ends in -baggery). And I am irreconcilably opposed to any legislation, in any country, that would increase the price of Belgian ale. So let’s call this proposal a step forward and a step backward.

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