From February 2026, the price of a Guinness pint will climb higher at pubs across Ireland and beyond. Diageo, the company that owns Guinness, announced a 5.2% wholesale price hike starting in April. This marks the third increase in just 14 months, putting extra pressure on pub owners and their customers.
Guinness prices are climbing again with a 5.2% wholesale increase, marking the third hike in just over a year.
The wholesale cost of a regular Guinness pint will rise by 7 cents from February 2, while Guinness 0.0 will jump by 10 cents. When these increases reach pub counters, customers can expect to pay an extra 10 to 20 cents per pint. For pub-goers who already watch their budgets carefully, this adds up quickly. Central banks’ decisions on interest rates can influence consumer spending, potentially affecting how much people drink at pubs and bars interest rates.
Diageo isn’t alone in raising prices. Heineken followed with a 3.1% average increase across its draught range starting February 16. Brands like Heineken, Coors, Birra Moretti, and Murphy’s will see their wholesale prices climb by 6 to 7 cents per pint. Heineken Ireland cited ongoing business cost increases as the driver for the price adjustment. Both companies point to rising production costs as the main reason for these changes.
Several factors drive these increases. Barley prices have jumped due to droughts and supply chain disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine war. Energy costs, minimum wage increases, and general inflation also squeeze brewers and pub operators alike. At the same time, younger drinkers are cutting back on alcohol, choosing healthier and cheaper options during tough economic times. The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy has also contributed to reduced alcohol consumption, as these medications curb cravings.
Pub owners feel caught in the middle. They face higher wholesale costs but worry about losing customers if prices climb too high. The Dog & Partridge pub in the UK saw its Guinness price jump from £5.50 to £6.90 over three years. The Vintners Federation called these increases a critical blow to the industry.
In the United States, Guinness prices also rose. The average pint now costs $7.49, up 5% from last year. California leads with the highest price at $9.35, while West Virginia offers the cheapest at $5.45.
As costs continue rising across the board, the famous black pint may become a luxury some patrons can no longer afford regularly.
