PINT OF PAIN

Diageo hike will push pints to €5.50 nationwide | Publicans hit out over second increase this year

- SEAN MURPHY

PINTS of favourite tipples such as Guinness will now cost around €5.50 nationwide after Diageo hiked prices for the second time this year. 

The brewing giant, which also owns brands such as Carlsberg and Rockshore, yesterday announced a 4c plus VAT price increase from August 14.

Publicans and vintners immediately criticised the move, which follows a 12c hike in February, and labelled the total 16c hike “incomprehensible”.

The 16c increase during tourism season compares to a 17c hike in prices over the last year by rivals Heineken.

Cork pub boss Michael O’Donovan said Diageo’s action was “hugely frustrating, disappointing, and unprecedented” and asked it to “reconsider”.

He warned the 4c plus VAT means a 10c rise at the taps and will see average pints of stout now cost €5.50.

Mr O’Donovan, who is Cork chairperson of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said: “It’s hugely frustrating.

“Diageo is citing business costs, but we all have business costs and for this to be the second time this year for them to have a price increase is really incomprehensible. It’s hugely disappointing. The bottom line is that a lot of publicans will have to pass on this price increase to consumers.