Pub supporters are calling for a freeze on beer tax for the benefit of Birmingham boozers.
The British Beer and Pub Association Midlands Counties wants a fairer rate of levy to protect pubs and home-grown ales which contribute £22 billion to the UK's economy and employ one million people.
Spokesman Richard Matthews said: "We'd welcome a tax freeze or a cut, as they'd never scrap it completely."
The association, based in Kidderminster, is questioning why beer is taxed according to its strength yet wine, which has increased in potency over recent years, is taxed by a different method.
The association says action needs to be taken to halt a trend which saw 18 breweries and 1,000 pubs shut across the UK in 2004 alone.
More depressing figures for the real ale industry show sales of beer down 16 per cent since 1979 overall, and by 42 per cent in pubs and clubs.
And while home-grown beer boosts the UK economy and reaps £300 million in exports each day, 99 per cent of wine in the UK is imported.
"The Chancellor has reached a point of no return by taxing beer because the more he taxes it, the greater the decline in sales, so it doesn't generate much more money," said Mr Matthews.
