Heineken fined for forcing pubs to stock too many of its beers

Heineken's pubs business has been fined £2m by the industry watchdog after forcing tenants to sell "unreasonable levels" of its own beers and ciders.

Star Pubs and Bars "seriously and repeatedly" broke rules for three years, the Pubs Code Adjudicator said.

It found several pubs who had asked to no longer be tied to Heineken were told that 100% of the keg beer they sold had to be Heineken brands.

Star Pubs said it was considering an appeal, calling the fine "unwarranted".

Star has an estate of 2,500 pubs, with 1,900 in England and Wales covered by the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA).

Heineken's brands include Amstel, Birra Moretti and Bulmers cider.