The Consumers' Association has urged publicans to absorb the latest increase in the price of Guinness and other draught beers.
From March 1st, Guinness United Distillers and Vintners will increase the price of a pint of Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp, Carlsberg and Budweiser by six cent. However, it is up to the publicans to decide how much of this increase should be passed on to customers.
Mr Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumers' Association, said this gave publicans the perfect opportunity to restore public confidence in their trade.
He said he had no doubt that publicans could comfortably absorb the increase, given the profit margins they had on certain products such as soft drinks.
The six cent increase, which equates to a 4.5 per cent increase on the wholesale price of a keg was not enormous, Mr Jewell said, but it came on top of an already inflated price.
"It is yet another price increase for consumers and it is not helping the situation," he said.
"No doubt publicans will pass on the full amount to their customers, and perhaps add on something for themselves," he said. "but that would be an opportunity missed. It's not that long since the vintners introduced a price freeze. They should follow that by holding prices "
The Irish Times was unable to get a response to the suggestion from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland yesterday.
The last price increase for Guinness drinkers came last March. In July, 2000, a six-month freeze on certain alcohol products was introduced by Mr Tom Kitt, then minister with responsibility for consumer affairs.
It froze the price of 16 beverages at the price that had been charged on May 15th of that year.
