Bad news for anyone who enjoys a pint – the cost of your favourite lager has climbed above €6 nationwide! Last month, a pint of lager set you back an average of €6.05, marking a 50-cent increase in just one year.

The price for a pint of stout in licensed establishments across the country wasn’t far behind, with the national average hitting €5.62, up 48 cents compared to the previous year, as per the latest inflation data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

It’s worth noting that these are average prices across the nation. Experts point out that in city areas, especially Dublin, the prices tend to be even steeper. As anyone who has had a pint in Dublin recently can attest, it’s nearer to €6.50. But that is anecdotal evidence, not qualitative research findings.

For those trying to save a few bucks by avoiding the pub and drinking at home, there’s a bitter reality – home drinking is becoming more expensive as well. The national average price for a 50cl can of lager to take home reached €2.35, marking a 19-cent increase from the previous September.

If you’re more into cider, a take-home 50cl can set you back €2.60 last month, up by 14 cents in a year. These price hikes in alcohol come at a time when inflation is on the rise again, putting additional pressure on household budgets.

The official Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, saw a 6.4% increase between September of last year and this year. This is up from the annual increase of 6.3% in the year up to August, according to new data from the CSO. This marks the 24th consecutive month with inflation above 5%.

In September, prices increased by 0.1% when compared to the previous month. Annual food inflation is currently running at 7.4%.

Last month, several everyday items became more expensive, including an 800g white sliced pan, which went up by 3 cents. An 800g brown sliced pan increased by 6 cents compared to the same month the previous year.

Two litres of full-fat milk saw a 9-cent price hike, and a pound of butter also became 9 cents more expensive compared to the previous September. A 500g packet of spaghetti went up by 12 cents in the year, while the average price for 2.5kg of potatoes climbed by 28 cents.

Even Irish cheddar, a kitchen staple, got pricier, increasing by 58 cents per kilogram.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath, in his Budget speech this week, expects inflation to fall to 2.9% next year. So, there might be a glimmer of hope for some relief in the future!

Elsewhere on Char: How Much is Too Much For a Pint?