The pub and brewing sectors will be hoping this week's first-time Budget from Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling contains some industry-friendly measures.
Wine and spirit producers have had it easy in recent years, but surely they can't expect much from the Grey-Haired One this time round, given the palaver over the effects of binge drinking on society.
Brewers meanwhile will be keeping their fingers crossed for a freeze on the tax that HM Government sees fit to slap onto beer, year after year.
They are, after all, already being hit by significant rises in energy and raw material costs and need a duty rise like a hole in the noggin.
On the cultural and social fronts there have been corporate types, notably Shepherd Neame's Jonathan Neame, have been gallantly going into battle on behalf of the industry, highlighting the efficacious properties of traditionally-brewed cask ale and arguing the case that a well run pub is the best environment in which to enjoy consuming alcohol of all descriptions.
Licensees aren't exactly relishing the prospect of passing on price increases to their customers, either. Or looking forward to taking the hit themselves, should their regulars be unable or unwilling to pay more for their drinks.
Darling will surely come up with a cornucopia of headline grabbing measures on Wednesday, but I fear the licensed trade is hoping against hope if it expects anything less than a moderate duty hike on beer.
Such has been the growing clamour for 'something' to be done about the UK's apparent descent into alcohol-fuelled anarchy that the Chancellor will probably focus on fiscal moves to discourage miscreant behaviour. There are numerous arguments for what will put the blocks on alcohol abuse, but I'm not going to go into them right here, right now. Suffice it to say that tax hikes won't be the panacea certain people believe.
So, with the sector being hit from all sides by a combination of legislation, external economic factors and unpredictable weather, I'm happy to add my name to those calling for Wednesday to see a freeze on beer duty. Sadly, I don't expect anyone in government to listen…