CAMRA: beer prices a 'grim reflection' of modern life

20-Feb-2024 - Last updated on 20-Feb-2024 at 09:34 GMT

Threadbare tightrope: rising beer prices 'grim reflection' of modern life (Credit: Getty/FreshSplash)

Rising beer prices are a “grim reflection” of modern life and demonstrate the “threadbare tightrope” pubs and brewers are walking upon, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has said.

This comes as the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), released last week, showed the price of a pint of draught lager in a pub had increased by 10.8% in the year to January 2024, the biggest January upswing since before the pandemic.

According to the data, a pint of draught lager in a pub stood at £4.69 last month compared with £4.23 in January 2023 while a pint of draught bitter had risen by 9.2% to £3.90 during this period, up from £3.57 the previous year.

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said: “Simultaneous economic crises have meant that price increases are no longer unexpected, but instead are now a grim reflection of modern life.

Spiralling costs

“The most recent ONS data clearly demonstrates that consumers will continue to struggle to afford a pint at their locals.

“Spiralling costs of goods and employing staff, rising energy bills, as well as Government help with business rates being cut has meant hardworking pubs, social clubs and taprooms have had to push their prices to just stay afloat.”

Furthermore, analysis of the numbers by The Morning Advertiser (MA) revealed the cost of a pint of lager had increased 27.7% in the past five years alone, up from £3.67 in January 2019.

The overall cost of a pint of draught bitter had risen by 27.8% during the five-year period, up from £3.05 in January 2019.

Threadbare tightrope

“These community hubs do not wish to pass the cost onto their loyal patrons, especially during the cost-of-living crisis, but the only other alternative would be shut their doors for good.”

Antona also warned the sector faced more closures if the Government does not implement a tax cut on pints in pubs in next month’s Spring Statement, with a quarter of firms already left without cash reserves according to recent data from industry trade bodies.

He added: “The pub, brewing and cider making industries are walking upon a threadbare tightrope.

“Unless the Government announces a support package for pubs and pubgoers in the upcoming Spring Statement to cut tax on pints in pubs by 20%, many of the UK’s much-loved establishments will disappear altogether.”