Ireland: Pint of stout surpasses €6 for the first time

A pint of stout has surpassed €6 for the first time in Ireland, whilst steak prices have jumped by €5 in just 12 months, as food and beverage costs continue their upward climb, the Irish Star reported on February 20.

The most recent consumer price index reveals that the average cost of a pint of the black stuff in a pub now stands at €6.10, representing a 28c increase over the past year. Lager drinkers face an even steeper bill at €6.52, marking a 25c rise compared to January 2025.

Food costs keep climbing as households already struggle with elevated living expenses. Grocery inflation sits at 3.7 per cent, a full percentage point above the overall inflation rate of 2.7 per cent for the year ending in January. White bread has gone up by 4c, butter has climbed 34c, cheddar cheese has increased 45c, bringing 1kg to €11.27. Steak has experienced a substantial price surge over the past year, with a 1kg sirloin cut rising by €4.68.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the price of the beloved Irish stout has also jumped. By early 2025, a pint of Guinness in the United States costs about $7.49 on average, up from $7.13 in 2024, according to LinkedIn figures.

Prices differ widely depending on the location and can top $10 in big cities such as New York and San Francisco, while some states report typical prices above $9.

Irish alcohol prices in supermarkets have also escalated, with a 500ml can of lager increasing 2c to €2.42, whilst cider now costs €2.71. Sinn Féin's Louise O'Reilly described these increases as "absolutely wild" and noted there's "no sign of it easing", reports the Irish Mirror.

24 February, 2026