The average price of lager has risen 14 pence and real ale 12 pence in the past four months.

The average price of a pub pint of beer could hit £5 by the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) warned today (5 August).

According to research by the organisation, a pint of real ale has increased 12 pence and a pint of lager has risen 14 pence in the past four months alone.

CAMRA attributes the price surge to the 10% increase in beer tax in March’s budget. Britain currently has the highest rate of beer tax in the EU, with the taxman receiving 80p in duty and tax for every pint sold in a pub.

A new survey has also revealed that 62% of pub goers blame the Government for high pub beer prices.

CAMRA said it is concerned pub beer price inflation could exceed 10% during 2008, and warned that unless planned beer tax hikes are shelved many pubs will close and the price of a pint could hit £4 in London and the South East and over £5 for the 2012 London Olympics.

To highlight rising beer taxes, CAMRA today (5 August) staged a protest during the opening day of the Great British Beer Festival in London. Protestors wore Alistair Darling face-masks, ‘fair deal on beer tax’ t-shirts and placards to help raise awareness of the issue.

CAMRA Chief Executive, Mike Benner, said: “This year’s devastating increase in beer tax has forced publicans to increase prices and pub-goers are right to lay the blame at the door of the Government. High beer taxes threaten to prevent many low and moderate earners enjoying a regular pint at their local pub.

“We desperately urge the Chancellor to think again before he goes down in history as the Chancellor who closed thousands of community pubs; damaged community life and prevented many millions of pub-goers from enjoying a regular trip to the pub.”

The average price of a pint of real ale is currently £2.59 whilst lager costs £2.82.

For more information, visit www.camra.org.uk

By Natasha Piscitelli