No super brew review

The Portman Group has ruled out looking at the issue of super-strength lagers as part of a review of its Code of Practice.

The group has just finished a three-month consultation with a view to republishing its code in May or June for the first time in six years.

The consultation document considered whether super-strength canned drinks should be included in the code.

It said: "Some cans of alcoholic drink (typically, 500ml cans of high-strength beers and ciders) contain more than four units of alcohol. It has been argued that these cans encourage excessive consumption and should be disallowed under the code."

Though not included in the review, the group said the issue was being looked at in "more detail" and it "may consult separately when the evidence base for the debate is clearer".

Although there was no specific question on the issue of super-strength lagers and ciders in the consultation, it is understood that at least two major brewers were against the issue being included in the review.

David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, said: "We are aware of concerns about cans of super-strength lager. It would be difficult, however, for us to ban 500ml cans of super-strength lager without cracking down on large bottles of cider, dinner-table beers and bottles of wine, which also contain more than four units. It is difficult to distinguish fairly and objectively between these products and consequently we have no current plans to change the Code of Practice."

Among the issues being reviewed instead are: the marketing of shooters and slammers, marketing that implies a link with sexual success and surrogate marketing ­ which links a non-alcoholic product to an alcoholic one.

The group also announced it is to undergo a rebranding, including a new logo, to distinguish between itself and the Drinkaware Trust. The Trust has taken on all the educational and consumer-facing work to promote responsible drinking. The Portman Group, meanwhile, will concentrate on the Code of Practice.

Sir Richard Tilt, former director general of the prison service, has taken over as chairman of the Independent Complaints Panel.