Pricier pints as inflation brews

THE average price of a pint in the pub across the country could soon pass £4 for the first time as inflation bubbles up.

The Bank of England has predicted annual inflation will rise above 4 per cent by the end of the year. While in areas such as the South East drinkers will tell you the price of their pint has long been over £4, the figures are based on all the regions, many of which have cheaper beer.

According to the figures, the average cost of a pint of lager could rise from £3.88 to more than £4 by Christmas. The soaring cost of carbon dioxide (CO2), which puts the fizz in beer and sodas, is also expected to drive up prices in the pub. It comes as shoppers were warned to expect a 5 per cent rise in supermarket food prices as the supply chain crisis deepens.

Latest Office for National Statistics figures show the price of draught lager has risen 8p over 12 months, while the price of a pint of bitter has gone up 6p. The price of a 175ml glass of wine has also risen 15p in a year. But if inflation were to hit 4 per cent by the end of the year, lager would likely break the £4 barrier, while bitter would cost more than £3.30 and a 175ml glass of wine would be more than £4.30, according to Hargreaves Lansdown. Emma McClarkin, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said prices will have to go up unless taxes for the trade are cut.

And yesterday David Sables, of Sentinel Management Consultants advising supermarket suppliers, told Radio 4’s Today: ‘I would expect... across the next six to eight weeks something like 5 per cent going across the board on to the prices on shelves.’