Melbourne beer drinkers stung $16 for a pint of draught
Beer lovers may have to find a new bevy of choice with one Melbourne pub now charging $16 for a standard on-tap pour.
Publicans haven’t been immune to inflation, supply chain issues and rising beer taxes and are now passing on the costs to their customers.
A pint of Carlton Draught at The Cricketers Bar on Spring St will cost punters $15.50, while the Richmond Social, Bear Brass in Southbank and the Wolf in Windsor are all charging over $14.
Event sports venues are in on the action with the MCG and Marvel Stadium charging $1 more for a schooner than 2022 prices. This will now set footy fans back $10.50.
Pub goers fears their favourite haunts will lose customers.
City worker Alex Cooper told the Herald Sun, “It’s been very frustrating, because pubs provide a very important arena for getting out and about – as well as providing a place for getting to know your colleagues and new friends.
“At this rate, no one will go to the pub anymore. Obviously, going out for a drink has never been cheap, but it really is starting to get ridiculous.”
Brewers Association of Australia chief executive John Preston blames constant increases in beer taxes for average punters being priced out.
“The one thing that is going up, and has been going up for 20-30 years, that someone can do something about is the beer tax,” Preston told the Herald Sun.
“The tax goes up twice a year, that’s a hidden tax increase on consumers twice a year. The last two increases have been the highest increases in over 20 years.
“That means Australia has the fourth-highest beer tax in the world.
“The tax is the one thing that the government can control and that they can do something about.”
The price of beer could have serious ramifications for venues if people choose to stay home, particularly when the COVID recovery isn’t quite over yet.
“Everything’s going up in price at the moment … it’s no different in pubs. Pub owners are faced with higher wage costs, higher grocery costs, high utility bills,” Preston said.
“We’re heading towards paying over $15 a pint, that’s $60 for a round, and that’s really making people think twice.”
Jonathan Jackson - 14-3-23
