Average Pint Prices Rise Across Australia, According to Square Data
The national average price of a pint of beer in Australia has risen from $9.96 to $13.76 since January 2020, climbing by nearly $1 every 18 months, according to exclusive data provided by Square.
Melbourne Beer Prices Outpace National Averages
Melbourne drinkers face higher costs than residents in any other Australian capital city for several popular brews. Square data shows a pint of Balter XPA averages $15.70 in Melbourne, while Guinness reaches $15.51, Carlton Draught sits at $13.91, Carlton Dry costs $12.86, and Great Northern Super Crisp commands $12.95. Beer expert and The Crafty Pint founder James Smith noted that Perth generally remains the cheapest capital city for those specific labels, suggesting targeted discounting by producers trying to break into the Western Australia market. Hospitality and beer production on the west coast have also held firm longer than in other states.
Pandemic Recovery and the Extinction of the Ten-Dollar Pint
The steepest price increases occurred after pandemic lockdowns ended in 2022, driving a roughly 10 per cent jump across most pint prices. Square executive David Schnabl explained that pubs held prices down during the early inflation years before passing on costs. While increases have moderated annually, they have never reversed. The national average for premium choices like Balter XPA at $14.53 and Guinness at $14.48 now drifts toward $15. Schnabl stated that the $10 pint is effectively extinct, with even XXXX Gold, the cheapest tracked pint, averaging $11.24 nationally. Great Northern, Australia’s best-selling beer, surged 43 per cent from $8.21 in 2020 to $11.73. Guinness jumped 41 per cent from $10.25 to $14.48, aided by a cultural resurgence surrounding the viral trend of splitting the G.
Victorian publicans face mounting operational overheads through state-specific levies, including the mental health wellbeing levy and the COVID-19 debt repayment payroll tax on venues with payrolls exceeding $10 million. Higher land taxes, council rates, and mandatory guard-to-patron ratios for late-night venues add further strain. James Smith reported hearing from pub owners that these costs are severe. Concurrently, Perth benefits from an entrenched pint culture tied to a higher proportion of English-born residents accustomed to 570ml pours. Taylor Westlake of Titanium Property observed that pints form the base beer price in Perth, whereas New South Wales and Queensland venues charge a premium for pints over the default 425ml schooner.
Inflation Drives Beer Prices While Government Freezes Draught Excise
Australia maintains the world’s third-highest alcohol tax rate, driven by twice-yearly excise increases tied to inflation. AMP economist My Bui calculated that nominal beer prices have risen by about 170 per cent since 2000, translating to a real price increase of roughly 27 per cent after general inflation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese instituted a two-year freeze on the draught beer excise in March of the prior year to alleviate pressure on drinkers, brewers, and pubs. However, Independent Brewers Association chief executive Kylie Lethbridge pointed out that the freeze primarily benefits Big Alcohol multinationals like Lion, a subsidiary of Kirin, and CUB, a subsidiary of Asahi, which control 90 per cent of the tap beer market, offering minimal immediate relief to independent breweries.
The pace of pint price growth slowed to 2.7 per cent for the year to date, marking the first sub-3 per cent rise since COVID-19. David Schnabl cautioned that easing does not mean stopping, projecting that the national pint average could reach $14 around late 2027 if wages and energy costs stabilise.