Released yesterday (Wednesday 24 May), the data showed draught lager prices had soared by 46p (11%) year-on-year in April this year, from £4.08 in April 2022 to £4.54.
Month-on-month, draught lager costs saw a rise of 0.8%, from £4.50 in March this year.
Draught bitter prices also increased in the year to April 2023, from £3.50 in the equivalent period last year to £3.77.
Spiralling costs
Month-on-month, draught bitter costs accelerated by 1%, from £3.73 in March this year.
Previous data showed the average cost of a pint of draught lager had increased 11.8% in the year to February 2023, from £3.98 in 2022 to £4.45, while draught bitter prices saw an 8.2% upswing during this period, from £3.40 to £3.70.
Recent analysis of Government data by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), featured in the trade body’s 2022 Stats Handbook, also showed beer duty on a pint in the UK was more than Germany, Spain, Czechia, Portugal, Austria and Belgium all put together, at 54.2p per 5% ABV pint.
This comes as Bristol-based Dawkins Brewery was forced to shut for good earlier this month, citing spiralling costs and post-Covid repercussions.
Crucial role
Moreover, according to data obtained by accountancy firm Price Bailey from the Insolvency Service, some 38 breweries became in solvent in 2022, up from nine in 2021.
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Despite simplification of Britain’s alcohol duty rates and the acknowledgement of the crucial role of pubs in our society with a duty draught duty reduction, British beer remains some of the most heavily taxed in Europe.
“Countries with similarly rich beer cultures such as Germany and Spain have duty rates under one tenth of the UK’s.
“As a result, our pubs and brewers are put at a disadvantage and people find they are paying more for their pint at the bar.”
