Exclusive Tim Palmer Wholesalers are growing increasingly anxious that the multiples are gearing up for another Christmas price war on beer. But fears the war has already started are being played down by the leading brewers, even though wholesalers say that prices are tumbling. Their big worry is that prices will hit rock bottom as they did last year when top brands were on sale for £12.99 a case in the supermarkets. Wholesalers ­ who buy in beer at £13.99 a case ­ say they and their customers have no way of competing with such aggressive pricing. A Landmark spokesman said it had yet to make its decision on beer pricing. "Everyone is nervous and the retailers do not want to look uncompetitive. We are hoping the brewers will come up with specific deals on specific packs which will be unique to the sector." Bass and Scottish Courage admitted the really deep cuts had yet to come. Foster's is on offer at £13.95 in Tesco, while Kronenbourg has recently been on sale at £12.99 a case in some Sainsbury stores. Allan Cheesman, wine director of Sainsbury, said the deal was part of carefully planned activity of half price deals on beer. "Beer is a category where we have not performed particularly well. These deals have driven sales and increased footfall in the sector. There is no war yet, but we have 10 weeks to go." Bass sales director John Holberry said: "All the beer, wine and spirits departments are facing the big numbers they achieved over the millennium and they are going to be aggressive." {{NEWS }}

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