The Price of a Pint is Going up for the Third Time in 18 Months
The Price of a Pint is Going up for the Third Time in 18 Months
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: George Voronov
Diageo’s at it again – they’re cranking up the price of their beloved draught beers. Guinness, Hop House 13, Harp, Rockshore, Smithwicks, and even the “It’s probably C” Carlsberg are all affected.
Yep, get ready to cough up an extra 6c for that creamy pint experience. If you’re sipping on Guinness 0.0 (yep, even the non-alcoholic stuff is on the rise), it’s gonna set you back an extra 9 cent. These price hikes are hitting you where it hurts from April 19th.
Why, you ask? Diageo’s blaming it on rising costs – typical. They’re saying it’s the first time they’ve jacked up Guinness 0.0 prices since it hit the taps. And that 9 cent spike? Supposedly, it’s because brewing and serving that non-alcoholic Guinness is costing them an arm and a leg.
Pubs are facing a perfect storm of higher wages, more sick days, and looming pension schemes. Spare a thought for the poor publicans today caught between a rock and a hard place. They gotta decide whether to pass on the full price hike to us or take a hit themselves.
And if you think this is just some minor blip, think again. Last year, Diageo pulled the same stunt a few times, blaming it on rising costs (surprise, surprise).
The Vintners Federation of Ireland is kicking up a fuss, calling this price hike the final nail in the coffin for struggling pubs. They’re practically begging the government for more support, saying the Increased Cost of Doing Business grant ain’t cutting it. They want lower excise, a return to the 9% VAT rate for food-serving pubs, and a break on employer’s PRSI. Basically, they’re saying, “Enough is enough, give us a break!”
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