Bars Go Dry on British Warships Ahead of War

I'm not too surprised that the British navy allows drinking on a daily basis. From Bars Go Dry on British Warships Ahead of War:

Unlike American warships, which are dry, British ships have full-functioning bars for officers and a three-can-a-day beer allowance for enlisted sailors.

This I do find odd though; they subsidize liquor:

The tax-free tipple is a bargain -- a glass of brandy on board the flagship carrier Ark Royal costs a mere 13 pence (20 U.S. cents).