Beer Prices and You
What is the deal with beer prices? Wholesale, brewer or pub group the disparity in what is charged for a keg of beer by these suppliers is enormous. Depending on what part of the trade your business occupies you can be paying double the price for a keg of beer than the guy just up the road. A level playing field this is not.
We all know it is down to what kind of business you are in. Certainly the free of tie pub or free trade social club, are in a far better position to acquire cheaper beer than say a tied pub or small hotel. This has always been the case, but is it fair. Obviously greater sales will attract discounts that are normal business practice. In some situations as with the pub groups, the wholesale price of beer paid by their tenants does not reflect a realistic price that would enable them to compete with the working men's club around the corner. How can they? Is it any wonder more pubs are closing down than ever.
Also, buying beer from a large wholesaler can be cheaper than buying from the brewer direct. No wonder people are tempted to “Buy In”.
Heavy discounting by the brewers keeps a lot of big high street chains going, but at the cost of the little pub down the street.
The wholesale price of beer coupled with the present challenging trading conditions is having a fundamental affect on the number of pub closures. Not good for you the trader, or poor old Joe Bloggs the drinker. Choice is disappearing quicker than the head on a bad pint.
Here on Inn world we hope to try and gain an overall impression of beer prices from around the country. It might show the price differentials between regions and suppliers, and help you decide where to buy you keg beer from.
