A simple swap in the could save Brits 15% per pint as the of living soars. Many of us are tightening our purse strings as everyday expenses – from housing to food – become more pricey. Even the price of our favourite skyrocketed last year, the . With the cost of living crisis ongoing, many of us are dodging the pub in favour of boozing at home or cutting back on alcohol altogether. But for those of us who still enjoy an evening at the local watering hole, we can keep costs lower by opting for a drink other than lager – which, on average, set consumers back £4.24 in 2022, according to . This soared to £4.70 in 2023, the biggest year-on-year increase ever recorded. In contrast, ales – including stouts – cost just £3.60 in 2022, about 15% less than lager. Overall, the average cost of a pint in the
UK that year was £4.03. Ales tend to be the more budget-friendly option in general, so it is likely that trend will continue into 2024. But the price of both drinks is likely to go up. And of course, your favourite beverage will set you back more in . The average price of a pint in June of last year was £5.90 in the Big Smoke, according to financial health website – but many Londoners, particularly in the centre of town, have reported forking out more than £7 for their beer of choice. Consumers may be forking out more for our tipples, but so are the pub landlords struggling to keep lights on and kegs cold so we can carry on boozing. The some 383 pubs closed their doors for good in the first half of 2023 alone as a result of rising costs. Greg Mulholland, Campaign Director of Campaign for Pubs, told us: "The huge problem at the moment is the cost of living crisis and the level of energy bills, with other bills and costs all going up. It has and is making profitable pubs marginal and marginal pubs temporarily unprofitable." The Daily Star is now on
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