Independent brewery Changing Times says 'no justification' for Guinness price rise  

Diageo is increasing prices paid by publicans for its products from next month

Shed Distillery Leitrim co-founder Denise Rigney with Tom O’Brien of The Ferryman and founding member of Changing Times Brewery, Roisin Rigney of The Shed Distillery, and Keith O’Brien of The Ferryman and Changing Times Brewery. Picture: Brian Duignan

Irish independent brewery Changing Times says it has freezed the price of its beer for 2026 saying there is "no justification" for this week's price rise by Guinness maker Diageo.

On Tuesday, Diageo announced the price paid by publicans will rise by 7c for a pint of Guinness - an increase which is likely to mean punters face a 20c price increase if publicans are to maintain margins. Diageo blamed higher costs included wages, energy, and logistical and regulatory requirements for the increase, which is effective from February 2. Diageo draught products in Ireland include Guinness, Rockshore, Hop House 13, and Carlsberg.

Changing Times, which was set up in 2024 in Glasnevin by Cork brewer Shane Long, backed by renowned publican Benny McCabe and 15 high-profile pubs in Dublin, as well as Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin founder Patrick J Rigney.  It has grown rapidly and is predicting keg sales of 10,000 this year. 

Changing Times chair Mr Rigney said the brewery is freezing its prices for a second consecutive year on its four draught beers:  Clockwork Velvet Stout, Daydreamer Lager, After Hours Pale Ale and Bleedin Red Ale. They also expect to launch additional beers in the coming months. “As far as we are concerned there is no justification for a price rise," Mr Rigney said. 

"The costs of production aren’t going up to the extent that an increase in how much we charge is warranted. If there are any cost increases then we’re prepared to absorb that cost this year.” 

Changing Times ws first served at high-profile Dublin pubs including The Palace, The Long Hall, The Swan, Doheny & Nesbitts,The Ferryman, Devitts, Darkey Kellys, The Bankers, Arthur Maynes in Donnybrook, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, The Bank, and McSorleys. Mr Rigney invested in January, and is now chair of Changing Times.

In summer 2025, the brewery expand its reach into an three new Cork venues, including The Fran Well, Rising Sons Brewery, and The Fountain on Cork's Grand Parade. In Dublin, Nearys, Searsons, The Step Inn, The Sackville Lounge and Kavanagh’s The Temple now stock the products, while The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo was the company's first push into the West of Ireland. 

In the fourth quarter of 2025, it increased its reach into Limerick bars Paul Flannerys, Jerry Flannerys, Patsy Flannerys and Phil Flannerys; Dublin pubs The Storyteller Pub on Grand Canal Street, Bill Ahernes on Aston Quay, The Oval on Abbey Street; Lock 13 in Sallins, Co Kildare; and Thomas Connollys in Sligo.

While Diageo is increasing its prices, Heineken has declined to comment on whether it will increase the prices for its drinks, which include Murphys, Beamish, and Moretti. 

Spiritmaker Irish Distillers confirmed to the Irish Examiner on Wednesday that it is increasing the prices to its customers in the bar trade, the distillery's first price hike since August 2023. Owned by global giant Pernod Ricard, Irish Distillers produces Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Spot Whiskey, Method and Madness, and Powers Irish Whiskey.