Brazil getting high on beer

Brazil has slashed beer duties to avoid shortages during the World Cup, after local brewers warned they would be unable to meet surging demand despite sharply increasing production.

Brazil has slashed beer duties to avoid shortages during the World Cup, after local brewers warned they would be unable to meet surging demand despite sharply increasing production.

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The government said it will cut import levies on canned beer to 2 percent from 16 per cent for the event. Brazil is the world's fourth largest beer consumer.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife gave the players a send-off at his palace on Wednesday. Bank workers in the nation of 190m have also been granted a request to quit work early on days when Brazil play.