The government plans to take a penny off a pint for the third year in a row, while duties on Scotch whisky will also come down, Chancellor George Osborne said during his pre-election budget speech.
He said the move, which also sees cider duty will drop 2%, will save pubs, create jobs and support families.
Wine and tobacco duties have been frozen, meanwhile.
The whisky industry, which supports more than 40,000 jobs, has hailed the decision to cut excise duties on spirits by 2% as an incentive for investment and a boost for public finances.
The cut means the duty burden on a 70cl bottle of Scotch at the average price of £12.90 has been reduced by 16pence from £7.90 to £7.74.
Scotch Whisky Association chief executive David Frost said: “This is a historic decision and only the fourth time whisky duty has been cut in a century.
“The Chancellor’s announcement will be toasted across the whisky industry and by consumers who are getting a fairer deal on tax when they have a drink of Scotch.
“The move is a major boost to our industry as we look to grow again in the UK, and equally sends out an important signal on fair taxation to our export markets.
“The industry is raising a glass to George Osborne and his Treasury team, as well as to all those who have supported our campaign over the last two decades.”