Consumers are punishing booze brands for price hikes, with Heineken the latest to report falling sales. The Dutch lager brand sold 4.7% less beer in 2023 compared to the year before, according to its annual report. “2023 proved to be challenging,” said Dolf van den Brink, chairman of Heineken’s executive board. The decline followed two price hikes during 2023 that left a glass or bottle of Heineken around 10% more expensive than in 2022. According to van den Brink, who is also chief executive, the company’s “strong pricing” – which was imposed in response to “very high input and energy cost in…