12 hours ago
Craft beer prices have rocketed since start of year amid rising costs and tax hikes
CRAFT beer prices have rocketed since the start of the year — giving drinkers a major hangover.
Prices have jumped by up to 12.5 per cent since January, The Morning Advertiser Pint Price Survey has revealed.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said many landlords are having to charge more just to stay open in the face of rising raw material costs and tax rises.
The survey said the biggest price rise was for BrewDog Punk IPA, which was £5.64 a pint in January but is now £6.34.
Camden Hells has also climbed to £6.34, up 10.8 per cent from £5.72.
Others have seen more modest increases, just 1.7 per cent for Camden Pale Ale, which has gone from £5.59 to £5.69.
The average price of a draught pint across all types has crept up to £5.17, compared with £5.08 six months ago.
CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: 'It's incredibly frustrating for consumers to see the price of a pint rise yet again.
'It's really important that we talk about the reasons that the price of beer is rising — it's hikes in the price of raw materials for brewers, energy costs staying high, pubs being squeezed by a challenging business rates system and rises in National Insurance contributions.
'Increasing the price of a pint is sometimes the only option for pubs, as not doing so risks closing their doors for ever.'
Whitbread, owner of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, has reported a 16 per cent fall in food and drink sales as it overhauls its restaurants.
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Pint prices on the rise and Maccies axes beloved item
MORRISONS OVER STORM
MORRISONS bosses said it had 'bounced back' from a Christmas cyber attack, as it posted stronger sales and profits for the latest quarter.
But the UK's fifth-largest supermarket chain warned inflation is driving 'subdued' sentiment among shoppers.
The Bradford-based business yesterday revealed group sales grew by 4.2 per cent to £3.9billion for the 13 weeks to April 27 compared with the same 2024 quarter.
Morrisons is pushing ahead with a turnaround plan which includes closing cafés along with meat and fish counters.
NO BEAUTY BID
MIKE Ashley's Frasers Group has pulled out of the bidding process for cosmetic retailer Revolution Beauty.
Frasers, which owns Sports Direct, said it 'does not intend to make an offer'.
The make-up firm had said Frasers was 'one of a number of parties conducting due diligence' after it put itself up for sale last month.
But the withdrawal raises questions over the future of the troubled beauty brand.
