Heineken hikes the price of a pint by 6c

Brewing giant blamed underlying costs for the increase

The price increase will take effect from June 4.

Drinks giant Heineken has announced that it will once again be increasing the prices by 6c per pint claiming it is due to increased costs.

This comes less than a month after Guinness-maker Diageo said that they would increase their prices by 6c per pint.

A spokesperson for Heineken Ireland said the price increases will take effect from June 4.

“Due to continued increases in underlying costs we need to adjust our pricing on our draught products. Despite our ongoing efforts to increase productivity and reduce costs, it is impossible for us to absorb all of the increased costs that we have been faced with, and therefore we need to adjust our pricing,” the spokesperson said.

However, while the 6c increase is to the wholesale price of Heineken’s products, that does not include the additional Vat and excise duty that has to be paid when it is served in a pub. This means the actual price increase on customers will likely be much higher.

The company previously hiked prices in December 2022 by 17c per pint.

Diageo’s latest price increase, on Guinness, Carlsberg, Rockshore and Hop House 13, only came into effect last Monday which is the company’s third price hike in 18 months. Diageo previously increased the price of a pint by 12c in February last year and then by a further 4c in July.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), which represents pubs located outside of Dublin, said its position following this latest Heineken price increase remains the same, that the Government needs to introduce further support for the pub sector which is experiencing significant cost pressures.