Rising cost of a pint revealed amid concerns new health levy could push it even higher

The full extent of the rise in the cost of a pint of beer have been revealed, with a jump of 47 cents on a pint of stout and 50 cents on lager in the past year. 

Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that in October 2023, the national average price of a pint of stout in licensed premises was €5.62, up 47 cents in the year, while a pint of lager was €6.06, up 50 cents when compared with October 2022.

The national average price of a take-home 50cl can of lager stands at €2.34, up 18 cents on average from October 2022 while a take-home 50cl can of cider at €2.60, was up 14 cents.

And there could be further bad news on the way with proposals for a new health levy on drink currently being considered that could drive the cost of an average pint even higher. 

It is understood that consideration is to be given on the introduction of a levy on the alcohol industry to contribute towards the costs of alcohol-related harms to the State, the Irish Mirror has reported. 

There are now concerns that this could add a significant extra cost to the price of a pint. 

Meanwhile, the CSO has also published the National Average Prices of some staple items:

The national average price for bread (large (800g) white sliced pan) was up 2 cents in the year to October 2023, while the same size brown sliced pan was up 4 cents in the year.

Spaghetti per 500g increased by 20 cents in the year while the average price for 2.5kg of potatoes was up 32 cents.

Full fat milk per 2 litres increased by 6 cents in the year while the average price of Irish cheddar per kg rose by 25 cents and butter per lb rose by 4 cents.