Price of pint set to rise by 6p

Carlsberg and Molson Coors have announced a hike in wholesale prices meaning it could cost pubs that buy draught beer by the barrel an extra 6p per pint.

As reported by The Metro, the new prices, which don’t include VAT, will come into effect in January, with other brands expected to follow suit.

“It’s putting pubs in a really difficult situation because they just can’t afford to increase their prices that much,” Simon Clarke, landlord at the Eagle Ale House in Battersea told The Metro.

The Morning Advertiser reports that the decision was blamed on rising production, energy and fuel costs.

“We have regretfully informed our on-trade customers that we will be increasing prices on own produced and wholesales products will effect from 6 January 2014.

“The price increase reflects the rising costs of production, energy and fuel.

“We are fully aware of the challenging market for our customers and have absorbed as much cost as possible to ensure impact is kept to a minimum,” a Carlsberg UK spokesperson said.

Molson Coors meanwhile, blamed the increase on “rising input prices that affect all brewers.”

According to The Campaign for Real Ale, 18 pubs close every week in the UK.