Drinkers will have to fork out at least 25 cent more for a pint soon after Heineken confirmed it is to increase its prices in pubs.
The brewing giant said it was facing “unprecedented cost increases” and will have to hike the price on all draught kegs from December 1.
The move will come as a blow to many celebrating the festive season amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
READ MORE: Ireland Pubs: Latest on pint price hike as 'shocked' bar owners condemn changes
The company owns a wide range of well-known brands sold in pubs, bars, and restaurants nationwide, which includes nine that are sold as draught.
It means fans of the following drinks will be paying more within weeks:
- Heineken
- Moretti
- Orchard Thieves
- Lagunitas
- Beamish
- Murphys
- Tiger
- Coors
- Fosters
- Island’s edge
A pint of lager costs an average of €5.55, according to the CSO’s most recent Consumer Price Index, meaning the price of certain pints will be nearing closer to the €6 mark. This will vary depending on venues.
In a letter seen by the Irish Mirror, pubs were told: “Keg prices for Heineken and Coors lager will increase, equivalent to 17c per pint and at a pro-rata rate for all other draught brands and keg sizes.”
Some pubs are also threatening to not sell the drinks at all.
Dublin bar Darkey Kelly’s publican Nathy Towey has already removed his Birra Moretti and Island’s Edge taps and could take out more if they don’t roll back on their plans.
He said: “We try and offer value to our customers. We put on music seven nights a week.
“We’ve no cover charge. We try to charge a fair price for our pint but this is too much in one go.
“It will put people off. They’ll come out at Christmas time but come the New Year, when people are looking at their bank account, the night out is what will be put to one side.
“We have six Heineken products and we’re starting by removing two of them – and I imagine a lot of pubs around the city will be doing the same.
“But if they don’t reverse this decision, you could see their heavy hitters such as Heineken and Coors up for debate as well.
“We know everybody’s business costs have gone up but this is just too much of an increase in one go.
“The size of the increase definitely came out of the blue. You’d expect a 5c increase but not this. I can’t ask customers to pay another 25c for a pint. Pubs have absorbed rising costs over the last six months. We have a lot of locals and their own personal bills at home would have gone up such as food, electricity, and gas so asking lads to pay an extra 25c or 35c for a pint won’t wash well.”
Former chairman of the Licensed Vintners Association Noel Anderson took to Twitter and blasted the move.
He said: “Huge kick in the balls this morning one of our major breweries has just put a simply massive price increase on. This madness has to stop. Calls will go in to reverse it but this is simply insane.”
Vintners’ Federation of Ireland President Paul Clancy called it “particularly poor timing”. He said: “These price increases are the last thing publicans or customers need.
“The energy crisis has resulted in many pubs having to curtail their opening times to save money while other costs such as insurance and Sky Sports make it extremely difficult for publicans to even break even. Pub customers are going through their own cost-of-living crisis and we know members are desperately unhappy about having to pass on this increase.”
The Irish Mirror contacted Guinness owners to see if they planned on increasing prices too but they did not respond.
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