A fresh wholesale increase is due to kick in from early February — and publicans say it could translate into another noticeable bump at the bar.
Guinness drinkers are bracing for another jump in the cost of a pint after Diageo confirmed it is raising the price it charges pubs for draught products from 2 February. According to reports, the wholesale price of a pint of Guinness supplied to pubs will rise by seven cent per pint (excluding VAT), while Guinness 0.0 is set to increase by 10 cent. Publicans ultimately set retail prices — but the industry warns the change will be felt quickly on menus across the country. (See coverage from RTÉ and The Journal.)
In plain terms: a small wholesale increase can become a larger rise for customers once VAT, overheads and margins are factored in. Several Irish outlets have noted that the increase could push the price of a pint further into “over €6” territory in many places — and beyond €7 in some Dublin pubs — depending on location and operating costs. The Irish Times reported the move could amount to roughly around 20 cent at the consumer level in many cases.
What’s changing from next month?
- Guinness (draught): +€0.07 per pint to pubs (excluding VAT), effective 2 February.
- Guinness 0.0 (draught): +€0.10 per pint to pubs (excluding VAT), also from 2 February.
- What you’ll pay: varies by pub — but publicans warn the “all-in” increase for customers can be far higher than the wholesale change.
Diageo, which owns Guinness, said the decision reflects continuing cost pressures and the need to maintain sustainable operations. RTÉ reported that the company pointed to industry-wide costs while noting that final retail pricing remains at the discretion of each publican. (Read the RTÉ report here.)
Why pubs say this time feels different
Publicans’ groups say the problem isn’t just the price of stout — it’s the timing. Many pubs are already dealing with high energy bills, wage pressures and rising day-to-day operating costs. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) has criticised the latest increase, warning it adds another squeeze to businesses that are already operating on tight margins, particularly outside major cities. Coverage in regional press echoed the same mood, with publicans describing the hike as piling further pressure on the trade. (See Roscommon Herald and reporting summarised by The Irish Times.)
The underlying fear is simple: if customers cut back after repeated price rises, smaller pubs lose the steady footfall they rely on. For many rural communities, the local pub is more than a business — it’s a social hub — and closures are hard to reverse once they start.
What drinkers can do (without overpaying)
If you’ve noticed your regular pint creeping up, you’re not alone — and you don’t need to guess whether the next increase is coming. Here are a few practical ways to stay on top of it:
- Ask before you order: some pubs update boards immediately, others phase in increases over weeks.
- Watch for midweek value: some venues protect weekday pricing to keep steady trade.
- Consider 0.0 carefully: Guinness 0.0 is also rising in wholesale cost, so it may not stay the “cheaper” option everywhere.
For more consumer-and-business updates like this, you can browse the latest on Swikblog Business.
The key question: how much will your pint rise?
There’s no single national answer. The reported increase is the wholesale change charged to pubs — but the final impact depends on everything from rent and staffing costs to how competitive the local market is. In some places, a pub may absorb part of it; in others, the increase can show up quickly in the price you see at the bar.
What is clear is that Guinness pricing remains a live issue — not only for drinkers, but for the survival of pubs that rely on a steady volume of pints to keep the lights on. As February approaches, many customers will be watching menus closely to see where the next “new normal” lands.
