Guinness owner Diageo has vowed not to hike costs for the rest of this year.
Some pub bosses responded by calling on Heineken to do the same. Heineken last week sparked a revolt among pubs across the country when it revealed plans to increase the price of a pint by an estimated 17c on December 1.
Publicans say it could add an extra 25c to 50c to the price of a pint once VAT is included. Bar owner Nathy Towey, 44, who said he would stop selling Heineken rather than ask customers to pay more, welcomed yesterday’s move.
Read more: Irish pubs blast 25c pint price increase as 'madness' with punters to feel pinch
He told Dublin Live: “We have been told by Diageo that they are going to hold back on any price rises for the rest of the year. It’s welcome news and it puts pressure on Heineken. Their prices are not due to rise for another two weeks, so they still have time to change their mind.
“I would encourage them to do that. The Diageo decision eases things a bit for us, gives us some certainty. But Heineken must realise that every industry has experienced increased costs. We can’t all just keep passing the buck to customers. Sometimes we just have to hold.
“If other brewers are holding, why can’t Heineken as well? We all have to take some pain.” Nathy started working in Darkey Kelly’s on Dublin’s Fishamble Street in 1999 and took it over in 2011.
He added: “The pub is where people go after they have paid all their bills, so we have to give value for money.” Meanwhile, the Budweiser group said cost pressures are growing due to prices of grain, energy and also glasses because furnaces used in bottle production need massive energy resources."
READ MORE
Temperatures to drop below freezing in Ireland as warm spell turns to cold snap
Popular wedding venue Finnstown Castle Hotel to cease trading under current operator
- Garda who used Luas to compete in Dublin Marathon banned for life as he apologises
- Swimmer dies after getting into difficulty at Bray Beach
Gang boss found dead in Swords hostel with €50k of heroin in suspected overdose
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
