One of the biggest topics that The Cask Connoisseur has studied throughout July is the rise in costs on Alcohol, specifically one of the most populated drinks that the increase is being targeted at is Cask Beer.
There are a number of reasons behind the sharp rise in alcohol prices including brewing ingredients, alcohol duty, even wage costs are now being thrown into the equation.
Over 10 years ago, you could go into any pub and buy a pint of beer for around £3.30, but now though you will be lucky enough to purchase a pint for nothing less than £4.00, it’s not just the cost of beer though all alcohol beverages have seen this unfortunate increase on sales and it’s making the pub trade less far populated than it used to be.
One key factor that plays a role in all of this, is the recovery from 2019, since the lockdown, prices have increased dramatically and still are to this very day, malt & hops the two most vital ingredients to make beer have almost tripled in cost from 2020, and this is putting enormous amounts of pressure on many breweries, specifically the small microbreweries which are struggling, it’s sad to see that some of these microbreweries have had to cease trading and we are seeing many pubs closing due to lack of trade.
Majority of our traditional English Pubs serve fantastic beer and it’s heartbreaking to see that beer is being thrown away due to the change in people’s drinking habits, a fair amount of the population are now starting to drink alcohol free products, 0% lagers being the most popular, and on top of this many consumers are no longer staying in the pub for a session of 2 or more beers due to cost, the changing habits of people who are now only having one pint then going home is starting to show true reality.
As we look further ahead towards the end of 2023, the brewing industry is to remain strong and as we start to see winter approaching it will be all systems go, when many people will be enjoying plenty of beer around the festive period. Furthermore, as 2024 arrives, January will be dry for many people who will be recovering from Christmas and then we can hope the rising costs will start to decrease, the trade will be booming once again and most importantly we can all look forward to cheaper pints.
Cheers,
The Cask Connoisseur
