Price of a pint of Guinness to rise again as 'increased costs' blamed
The latest increase will see prices exceed €7 a pint in many city centre locations.
The price of a pint is set to rise yet again, with Diageo increasing the price of Guinness and other drinks on draught from next month.
When Vat, duty and other factors are taken into account, it is expected the price of a pint in a pub will increase by 20-30c, which is expected to see prices exceed €7 a pint in many Dublin city centre locations.
It is the fourth such price rise from the maker of Guinness, Carlsberg, Hop House and Rockshore.
Given the cost pressures on bars across the country, it is expected many of them will pass on the latest price hike from Diageo. Pubs representative bodies described it as the latest “blow to an industry already on its knees”.
“Publicans are being squeezed from every angle — rising energy costs, higher wages and government-imposed charges,” said Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) chief executive Pat Crotty.
It is understood the rises come against a backdrop of wage inflation and rising energy costs, alongside increased logistical and regulatory requirements in the industry.
On each occasion Diageo has raised the price of its Guinness to on-trade customers in recent years, it has pinned the blame on costs inflation.
A Diageo spokesperson said: “Like many businesses, we continue to face increased costs across our Irish operations.
“In an effort to offset these costs and to maintain a sustainable business in Ireland, we have advised our on-trade customers that there will be an increase to the list prices on our full draught product range. This includes an increase equivalent of €0.06c per pint of Guinness, and €0.09c on Guinness 0.0 and will take effect from 3rd February.”
However, sources within the pub industry indicated they felt Irish consumers were an “easy target” to increase the price on popular drinks like Guinness at a time when the wider Diageo group may not be performing so well globally.
According to the most recent data from the CSO, the national average price of a pint of stout in Ireland was €5.82 in November. This compared to €5.20 in December 2022 and €4.67 at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, between the start of the pandemic and November 2024, the national average price of a pint of lager increased from €5.06 to €6.25.
And, while the CSO gives an average snapshot of prices, consumers can expect to face paying in excess of €7 for a pint of Guinness from next month in many urban locations, where prices had been hovering close to this mark in recent months.
The VFI said its members understood prices were rising across the board but “meaningful support” was needed from suppliers and Government to recognise the pressures facing the sector.
“This isn’t just about the price of a pint,” Mr Crotty said. “It’s about the survival of pubs across Ireland. The reality is that small, community-based pubs are at breaking point. Without additional support, particularly in rural areas, many will simply not survive.”
He added the VFI was pushing for a reduction in excise duty and the top Vat rate, and a lower Vat rate for pubs serving food to support the industry going forward.
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