Molson retirees: No beer for you

NEWFOUNDLAND, Canada - An allotment of 864 free bottles of beer each year for retired workers of Molson is going away.

Reuters reports that Molson retirees in Newfoundland, Canada will see their monthly allotment of beer fall from six dozen a month to zero over the next five years. Current workers will see their allotment drop from 72 dozen bottles a year to 52 dozen.

Some retirees held a protest outside the brewery last week and are demanding a meeting with company officials. Approximately 2,400 retirees will be affected by the change.

"There was no consultation, we just received a letter that this is a done deal, which is totally unfair," said Bill Bavis, who retired six years ago after 32 years at Molson . "I think with the economic downturn they're trying to take advantage of us, as a way to cut retirees' benefits and justify it."

Molson said it was looking to "standardize" its complementary beer policy and save $1 million a year.