Not so happy hours ahead for brewers

Kuala Lumpur

REGARDLESS of whether brewers are hit with additional duties in Malaysia's 2015 budget come Friday, happy hour appears over amid weaker consumer spend and an impending 6 per cent consumption tax in April that is likely to further dampen spirits.

Adding to the damage is continued easy access to contraband and illegal beer which remains widespread, crackdowns notwithstanding.

Although analysts are divided on whether beer products…