Trinidad and Tobago’s leading beverage producers Carib Brewery and Angostura have raised their product prices following the government’s decision to double excise duties on beer, spirits, and tobacco in the 2026 national budget. The tax hike, announced by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on October 13, raises excise duty on spirits from TTD 79.25 to 158.50 per litre of pure alcohol and on beer from TTD 5.14 to 10.28 per litre by gravity. Cigarette duties also doubled from TTD 5.26 to 10.52 per pack of 20, effective immediately under Legal Notice No. 376.
Excise duty applies to locally manufactured goods when they leave bonded warehouses for sale. As a result, the increase immediately affects domestic producers such as Carib Brewery and Angostura, while imported products will be subject to similar customs adjustments later, pending review by the Solicitor General’s office.
Carib Brewery announced on October 16 that its new prices were a “responsible and measured response” to the government’s move. The suggested retail price for Carib, Stag, and Pilsner beers has increased to TTD 13 (USD 1.93) per bottle, up from around TTD 10–11, while Royal Extra Stout now sells for TTD 15 (USD 2.23). Heineken and Guinness are now listed at TTD 22 (USD 3.27), compared to under TTD 16 previously. Malta and Shandy have risen to TTD 10 (USD 1.48), up from TTD 7.50. Other products — including Smirnoff Ice, Caribe Hard Cider, Vitamalt, Ginseng-Up, Smalta, Rockstone Tonic Wine, and Heineken 0.0 — remain unchanged.
In its statement, Carib Brewery said it aimed to balance “economic reality with responsibility to customers and consumers,” adding that it would continue to invest in “our People, Brands, Infrastructure and Country” while maintaining accessibility and quality. The company temporarily paused deliveries earlier in the week to adjust pricing. The Bar Owners Association confirmed that most establishments would need to pass on the increases to consumers, as they could not absorb the doubled duties.
Angostura’s price adjustments took effect one day later, on October 17. The company stated that it had previously absorbed rising input costs through “productivity, energy efficiency and innovation,” but the latest excise hike made price revisions unavoidable. A 750ml bottle of Angostura 1919 now retails for TTD 349.99 (USD 52.00), up from TTD 299.99. White Oak 750ml is priced at TTD 154.99 (USD 23.00), and the 1.75L format at TTD 334.99 (USD 49.70). Forres Park Puncheon rose to TTD 549.99 (USD 81.60), while Angostura 1824 sells for TTD 424.99 (USD 63.10), Angostura 1787 Fifteen-Year-Old for TTD 459.99 (USD 68.30), and Angostura Symphony for TTD 544.99 (USD 81.00).
Both producers emphasized their continued commitment to supporting the local economy, employment, and exports, with Angostura reaffirming its role in promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s rum and bitters brands in more than 170 markets worldwide.
Finance Minister Tancoo defended the move as part of a broader effort to improve revenue collection and encourage responsible consumption, noting that the last major revision to alcohol and tobacco duties took place nearly a decade ago. Consumers are expected to experience the full effect of the increases as bars and retailers deplete existing inventories in the coming days.
