The Price Ain't Right
CAMRA's annual pub prices survey shows that beer drinkers are still paying grossly inflated prices for their pints - and Cambridge
area drinkers are among the worst affected. CAMRA members surveyed over 1000 pubs nationwide during April and the main findings
were:
- real ale prices have risen by 5.4%, twice the rate of inflation
- drinking in pubs owned by independent brewers will cost you less than in a national brewer's pub
- new "nitro-keg" beers like Caffreys are the biggest rip-off: on average 30p more than a standard keg beer.
As usual the survey showed massive regional variations.
For an ordinary gravity bitter, the average price ranged from 131p in the North-West to 162p in the South-East.
For East Anglia the average was 157p but this also disguises fluctuations between areas - from 144p in Norfolk to 161p in, yes,
the Cambridge area, more expensive even than London at 158p. In Cambridge city, the average price went up to 164p.
It is also noticable that prices are higher in the southern part of South Cambs, 161p, than in the northern part,
157p, and East Cambs, 158p.
All this of course is a classic example of brewers and pubs charging what the market will bear. Cambridge is affluent and a tourist
trap, so up go the prices.
As a ready reckoner, here are the average prices across East Anglia for some popular beers. Compare them with what you have to pay
next time you are in a Cambridge pub. Figures in brackets are North-West prices.
| Greene King IPA | 156 | Tetley Bitter | 160 | (136)
|
| Charles Wells Eagle | 152 | Wadworths 6X | 174 | (147)
|
| Flowers IPA | 159 | Marstons Pedigree | 176 | (144)
|
| Boddingtons | 164 | Bass | 178 | (146)
|
| Wells Bombadier | 170 | Flowers Original | 184 | (152)
|
| Greene King Abbot | 180 | Old Speckled Hen | 188
|
However, if as a real ale drinker, you think you have been badly done by, spare a thought for the poor lager drinker.
Prices for that stuff have gone up by 6.1% on average, and you don't even get any taste by comparison.
ALE Autumn 1995 No. 282
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