The average price of a pint rises AGAIN across UK – how much is booze in YOUR area?
THE average price of a pint has soared to £5.17 across the UK, delivering a bitter blow to beer enthusiasts.
A new pint price survey has revealed the cost of a jar across England, Wales and Scotland is now 34p higher than figures reported by the Office for National Statistics in February.
Beer prices have risen sharply as manufacturers and pubs grapple with higher alcohol taxes, soaring utility bills and increased staffing costs.
Trade magazine The Morning Advertiser’s latest survey regularly examines the average cost of a pint across London, the Midlands, the North East, the North West, the South East, the South West, Scotland, and Wales.
According to its latest research, London tops the list for the priciest pints, with pub owners charging an average of £6.10.
The cost of popular brands in the capital has also climbed, with a pint of Guinness reaching £6.45, Birra Moretti £7.17, and Camden Hells £7.05 since February.
In contrast, the Midlands boasts the cheapest average pint in Great Britain, priced at £4.68.
Tennent’s lager is the most affordable option there at £3.50, followed by Carlsberg at £3.72.
Meanwhile, Foster’s and Greene King IPA are slightly pricier at £3.80 and £3.85, respectively.
However, the survey revealed that pint prices in the Midlands increased by 5.15% between January and April, while London bucked the trend with a 1.22% decrease during the same period.
Meanwhile, beer prices in Wales rose by 3.87%, and the South East saw a more modest increase of 2.54%.
The survey also examined the average prices of over 30 beer brands, covering categories including lager, craft beer, cask ale, and stout.
It found that Camden Hells and BrewDog Punk IPA are now the most expensive pints in Great Britain, with an average price of £6.34.
Following closely behind are Beavertown Neck Oil at £6.24, Peroni at £6.12, and Asahi at £6.11.
On the more affordable end of the scale, Tennent’s and Carlsberg emerged as the cheapest options, with drinkers paying an average of £4.23 per pint across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Greene King IPA, Budweiser, and Foster’s, come with an average price of £4.36, £4.38, and £4.47, respectively.
List of most and least expensive pints
Here are the most and least expensive pints across Great Britain, according to the Morning Advertiser:
- Camden Hells – £6.34
- BrewDog Punk IPA – £6.34
- Beavertown Neck Oil – £6.24
- Peroni – £6.14
- Asahi – £6.11
- Birra Moretti – £6.04
- Camden Pale Ale – £5.69
- Guinness – £5.56
- Estrella Damm – £5.56
- Madri – £5.55
- Staropramen – £5.53
- Cruzcampo – £5.39
- Heineken – £5.29
- San Miguel – £5.28
- Stella Artois – £5.27
- Pravha – £5.19
- Pedigree – £5.16
- Amstel – £5.16
- Timothy Taylor’s Landlord – £5.12
- London Pride – £4.82
- Wainwright – £4.75
- Coors Light – £4.74
- Corona – £4.73
- Abbot Ale – £4.70
- Carling – £4.62
- Tribute Pale Ale – £4.59
- Doom Bar – £4.57
- Hobgoblin – £4.57
- Foster’s – £4.47
- Budweiser – £4.38
- Greene King IPA – £4.36
- Carlsberg – £4.23
- Tennent’s – £4.23
BREWERIES AND PUBS STRUGGLE
Breweries and pubs across the UK have struggled in recent years as the high cost of living sees customers’ budgets take a dent.
The increased cost of brewing and beer prices, as well as rising energy bills have also had an impact.
Figures analysed and published by the Altus Group earlier this year revealed over 400 pubs across England and Wales were demolished or converted for other uses in the year to December.
This saw the number of pubs across the two countries dip below 39,000 for the first time.
More than 34 pubs a month called last orders for the final time over the year – the sharpest fall in pub numbers since 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic.
UK pub numbers have now plunged by more than 2,000 since the start of 2020.
A number of breweries are facing trouble too, including the Fourpure brewing company which appointed administrators in October and the Magic Rock Brewery which said it would bring administrators at the start of the year.
Meanwhile, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) said in November it would stop making eight classic British cask beers following a review.
A number of pubs also warned they would have to hike prices for customers this year after the Government’s Autumn Budget.
Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage both rose in April.
But businesses cautioned this would force them into upping the price of drinks as they try and absorb the extra costs.
Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, said the chain planned to hike its prices by between 2.5% and 3%.
Wetherspoons also hiked the price of some of its drinks and meal deals by up to 30p in January.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories