Punters feeling the pinch as Melbourne venues charge as much as $16 for a pint of draught

The rising price of pints has left a bitter taste for drinkers at Melbourne pubs. See where to find the city’s cheapest tap beers.

The price of a pint of beer has skyrocketed in Melbourne, with patrons now forking out up to $16 for a standard on-tap brew.

As inflation continues to soar, publicans and bar owners across the city have been forced to jack up their prices for the humble pint to address rising beer taxes – and punters are feeling the pinch.

The Herald Sun found one of the most expensive places to enjoy a pint of Carlton Draught was The Cricketers Bar on Spring St, with a glass setting you back $15.50.

Punters have to cough up more than $14 for a pint at the Richmond Social, Bear Brass in Southbank and the Wolf in Windsor.

Alex Cooper and Lee Eggleston having a pint at the Mitre Tavern in the CBD. Picture: Jason Edwards

Balter XPA fans – who are growing in numbers – are giving up an average $15.20 for their favourite pint, with the Richmond Club Hotel charging $16.

The price shock comes as the MCG and Marvel Stadium revealed they would be upping prices for a schooner, with both charging $10.50 – up $1 on previous years.

The Mitre Tavern, in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, continually faces the challenge of trying to please pub patrons and cover rising costs.

Alex Cooper, who works in the city, said with prices going up the way they are, pubs are running the risk of losing vast numbers of customers.

“It’s been very frustrating, because pubs provide a very important arena for getting out and about, as well as providing a place for getting to know your colleagues and new friends,” Mr Cooper said.

Alex Cooper (centre) says it’s frustrating that beers are becoming more expensive. Picture: Jason Edwards

“At this rate, no one will go to the pub anymore. Obviously, going out for a drink has never been cheap, but it really is starting to get ridiculous.”

Through all the madness, there are still plenty of places to find a cheap beer, with one of the most affordable options being poured at the Oakleigh Junction Hotel – $10.70 for a pint of Carlton Draught.

Brewers Association of Australia chief executive John Preston said the federal government’s continued beer tax increases was the biggest factor in the price of beer going up.

“The one thing that is going up, and has been going up for 20-30 years, that someone can do something about is the beer tax,” he told the Herald Sun.

“The tax goes up twice a year, that’s a hidden tax increase on consumers twice a year. The last two increases have been the highest increases in over 20 years.

“That means Australia has the fourth-highest beer tax in the world.

“The tax is the one thing that the government can control and that they can do something about.”

Mr Preston said the rising prices were making groups of friends contemplate whether to go to a pub, drink at home or forget it altogether.

“Everything’s going up in price at the moment … it’s no different in pubs. Pub owners are faced with higher wage costs, higher grocery costs, high utility bills,” he added.

“We’re heading towards paying over $15 a pint, that’s $60 for a round, and that’s really making people think twice.”