Wales Online readers have had their say after a brewery boss has warned that the average price of a pint could exceed £7 in some places in the UK — and will be treated "as the norm". Alan Mahon, who founded the Brewgooder brand, said rocketing costs driven by the war in Ukraine, the weaker pound, rising taxes and soaring inflation had thrown the industry into a panic.
This has been made worse by the scrapping of the freeze on alcohol duty announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt earlier this month. Mr Mahon said the cost of raw ingredients such as wheat and barley were rising well in excess of the inflation rate. Brewers were also facing spiralling prices for energy and gas, which were at record highs. And the price of carbon dioxide — essential for the brewing process — was now costing 3,000 per cent higher than this time last year.
With inflation, instability and rising energy prices putting the squeeze on people's disposable income, Mr Mahon said pubs and brewers would find conditions tougher even than during lockdown — unless the public came out and showed their support for pubs and clubs.
