THE price of a pint has now hit £5.08 on average across the UK, adding more pain for drinkers and boozers.
This means the average price of a pint is now 26p higher than the £4.82 reported by the Office for National Statistics in December, according to The Morning Advertiser‘s price pint survey.
Beer prices have been pushed up due to a perfect storm of rule changes, including increases to taxes on alcohol, packaging and employer costs.
The trade publication routinely examines pint prices across various regions of the country.
The most expensive region is still London, where a pint costs £6.16 on average, and the cheapest is Midlands at £4.47.
Between August 2024 and January 2025, the average cost of a pint rose in every region except two.
In both the East and West Midlands, prices fell by 6p, bringing the average cost of a pint down from £4.53 to £4.47.
All other regions experienced price increases.
London saw the largest rise, with the cost of a pint climbing by 24p (4.05%), from £5.92 to £6.16.
Scotland, meanwhile, recorded the steepest percentage increase, with the average cost of a pint rising by 7.19% – an additional 34p – taking prices from £4.73 to £5.07.
Other regions also saw notable increases.
In the North East, the price of a pint rose by 24p, moving from £4.65 to £4.89.
The North West followed, with an 18p increase, taking the cost from £4.85 to £5.03.
Wales experienced a rise of 17p (3.64%), with prices increasing from £4.67 to £4.84.
The Morning Advertiser’s survey analysed the typical costs of over 30 beer brands, spanning categories such as lager, craft, cask, and stout.
It also looked at the cost of a pint per brand too, revealing craft brewers Beavertown Neck Oil as the most expensive, costing £6.36 on average.
While the cheapest pint is Camden Pale Ale, costing £5.59.
The survey also analysed the most expensive pints by brand for each of the UK’s main regions.
In London, Peroni takes the top spot at £6.93, reflecting the capital’s higher cost of living.
In the North East, Peroni and Asahi are the priciest options, both averaging £6.15.
Meanwhile, in the North West, Heineken leads at £6.75.
Beavertown Neck Oil dominates as the most expensive pint in several regions, costing £6.58 in the South East, £6.84 in the South West, £6.70 in Scotland, and £6.38 in Wales.
In the East and West Midlands, Beavertown Neck Oil is also the priciest, but at a more modest £5.70.
BREWERIES AND PUBS STRUGGLE
Breweries and pubs across the UK have struggled in recent years as the high cost of living sees customers’ budgets take a dent.
The increased cost of brewing and beer prices, as well as rising energy bills, have also had an impact.
Recent figures analysed and published by the Altus Group revealed over 400 pubs across England and Wales were demolished or converted for other uses in the year to December.
This saw the number of pubs across the two countries dip below 39,000 for the first time.
More than 34 pubs a month called last orders for the final time over the year – the sharpest fall in pub numbers since 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic.
UK pub numbers have now plunged by more than 2,000 since the start of 2020.
A number of pubs are also warning they will have to hike prices for customers this year after the Government’s Autumn Budget.
Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage are both rising from April.
But businesses have cautioned this will force them into upping the price of drinks as they try and absorb the extra costs.
Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, said the chain plans to hike its prices by between 2.5% and 3%.
Wetherspoons also recently hiked the price of some of its drinks and meal deals by up to 30p after a warning from boss Tim Martin.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter.
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
