United Kingdom: InBev becomes third British brewer to announce beer price hike

Britain's beer drinkers have been warned to brace themselves for a new hike of up to 10p in the price of their favourite pint at the local pub, The Telegraph communicated on January, 8.

Guinness producer Diageo warned that the recommended retail price of a pint would rise 10p to pounds 3.03 on February 1.

Heineken UK announced a 4p rise on beer and 5p rise on cider as of February 1.

The last brewer to announce increases was the giant AB InBev’s British division which also will raise the wholesale price of all its drinks products by an average of 4p a pint from February 1.

The company, whose brands include Stella Artois, Beck's, Budweiser, Staropramen and Leffe, said that the rises were "within the context of continuing difficult market conditions and a challenging economic climate".

The increases will apply to all its UK draught and packaged products, in the on-trade and off-trade.

Stuart MacFarlane, president of InBev UK, said: "In keeping with standard industry practice we review our pricing at the start of each year.

"Within the context of continuing difficult market conditions and a challenging economic climate, InBev UK will be applying a price increase equivalent to an average of 4p a pint to the wholesale price of beer with effect from 1st February 2010."

Carlsberg and Molson Coors have yet to reveal details of any price increases.

08 January, 2010