Australians are furious over this controversial beer image: Find out why it's hard to digest
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It’s no secret that many Australians love their beer—but it seems like the cost of a relaxing cold one is increasing faster than the average Aussie can keep up with.
The most recent example of this brewing controversy can be found on social media.
On October 9, a single image of a beer sold at the Harbour View Hotel in Sydney’s The Rocks was shared with the caption ‘$20 pints are just around the corner’.
The beer, which was sold including a 15 per cent surcharge, cost a whopping $17.80. Without the surcharge, the beer would cost $15.13.
The photo garnered furious reactions from other social media users, with some finding the price 'tough to swallow'.
‘Who can afford this? This is partly what's ruined the nightlife in the city,’ one user commented.
‘I’ve given up drinking for health reasons, but man is my wallet happy too,’ another said.
‘I'm used to $15 for some stupid craft beer (that I'm a massive sucker for) but $20 for what I'm guessing is one of the big boys? That's a tough swallow in multiple ways,' a third user wrote on social media.
‘I'm old enough to remember when drinking was affordable in pubs. Four schooners every second day didn't strain the weekly budget,’ someone shared.
Another person declared: ‘I’m seriously looking into taking up brewing. Been researching it for a while.’
However, others claimed that the price was not out of the ordinary. They wrote: ‘$18.20 for a pint of Stone and Wood that is not even a proper pint at Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour.’
Someone else shared: ‘Paid $27 at PJ's on Saturday for a Kilkenny and a pint.’
‘I paid $40 for 2 pints the other day (of b****y Peroni). I almost had a heart attack when the notification popped up, and it honestly killed the buzz for the rest of the evening. Absolute insanity,’ a third social media user commented.
In August, the excise tax for beer rose by 2.2 per cent. This increased from $57.79 to $59.06 per litre of pure alcohol, which makes Australia the third-highest taxed country in the world after Finland and Norway.
The alcohol industry—which is generally considered to be recession-proof—is also feeling the cost-of-living pressures.
More and more Aussies are cutting back on their alcohol consumption. Australian bank data released in the first quarter of this year revealed that alcohol spending dropped -8.9 per cent in New South Wales, -13.7 per cent in Victoria, -14 per cent in Queensland, -16.9 per cent in South Australia, -14.1 per cent in Western Australia, -9.8 per cent in Tasmania, -2.7 per cent in the Northern Territory and -4.5 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory.
‘To allay the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, beverage alcohol consumers are becoming more selective in how and when they spend on alcohol,’ said Richard Halstead, COO of Consumer Insights, at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.
‘After the pandemic, at-home drinking is still preferred, but there is a strong motivation to go out, just with less frequency and more mindfulness in alcohol consumption and spending,’ he added.
So, members, if you’ve considered trading your regular Friday night out with a mate for a cold one in the comfort of your home, you’re certainly not alone.
But if you plan on heading out for a pint or two, then be extra mindful of hidden surcharges and drink prices—this way, you’ll be sure to leave your wallet a little bit happier!
Have you noticed this trend in alcohol prices, members? Let us know in the comments below!
The most recent example of this brewing controversy can be found on social media.
On October 9, a single image of a beer sold at the Harbour View Hotel in Sydney’s The Rocks was shared with the caption ‘$20 pints are just around the corner’.
A man shared a photo of a beer purchased from Harbour View Hotel in Sydney’s The Rocks. Credit: Reddit
The beer, which was sold including a 15 per cent surcharge, cost a whopping $17.80. Without the surcharge, the beer would cost $15.13.
The photo garnered furious reactions from other social media users, with some finding the price 'tough to swallow'.
‘Who can afford this? This is partly what's ruined the nightlife in the city,’ one user commented.
‘I’ve given up drinking for health reasons, but man is my wallet happy too,’ another said.
‘I'm used to $15 for some stupid craft beer (that I'm a massive sucker for) but $20 for what I'm guessing is one of the big boys? That's a tough swallow in multiple ways,' a third user wrote on social media.
‘I'm old enough to remember when drinking was affordable in pubs. Four schooners every second day didn't strain the weekly budget,’ someone shared.
Another person declared: ‘I’m seriously looking into taking up brewing. Been researching it for a while.’
However, others claimed that the price was not out of the ordinary. They wrote: ‘$18.20 for a pint of Stone and Wood that is not even a proper pint at Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour.’
Someone else shared: ‘Paid $27 at PJ's on Saturday for a Kilkenny and a pint.’
‘I paid $40 for 2 pints the other day (of b****y Peroni). I almost had a heart attack when the notification popped up, and it honestly killed the buzz for the rest of the evening. Absolute insanity,’ a third social media user commented.
In August, the excise tax for beer rose by 2.2 per cent. This increased from $57.79 to $59.06 per litre of pure alcohol, which makes Australia the third-highest taxed country in the world after Finland and Norway.
The alcohol industry—which is generally considered to be recession-proof—is also feeling the cost-of-living pressures.
More and more Aussies are cutting back on their alcohol consumption. Australian bank data released in the first quarter of this year revealed that alcohol spending dropped -8.9 per cent in New South Wales, -13.7 per cent in Victoria, -14 per cent in Queensland, -16.9 per cent in South Australia, -14.1 per cent in Western Australia, -9.8 per cent in Tasmania, -2.7 per cent in the Northern Territory and -4.5 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory.
‘To allay the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, beverage alcohol consumers are becoming more selective in how and when they spend on alcohol,’ said Richard Halstead, COO of Consumer Insights, at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.
‘After the pandemic, at-home drinking is still preferred, but there is a strong motivation to go out, just with less frequency and more mindfulness in alcohol consumption and spending,’ he added.
So, members, if you’ve considered trading your regular Friday night out with a mate for a cold one in the comfort of your home, you’re certainly not alone.
But if you plan on heading out for a pint or two, then be extra mindful of hidden surcharges and drink prices—this way, you’ll be sure to leave your wallet a little bit happier!
Have you noticed this trend in alcohol prices, members? Let us know in the comments below!
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