A pint of stout has surpassed €6 for the first time, whilst steak prices have jumped by €5 in just 12 months, as food and beverage costs continue their upward climb.
The most recent consumer price index reveals that the average cost of a pint of the black stuff in a pub now stands at €6.10, representing a 28c increase over the past year. Lager drinkers face an even steeper bill at €6.52, marking a 25c rise compared to January 2025.
Food costs keep climbing as households already struggle with elevated living expenses. Grocery inflation sits at 3.7 per cent, a full percentage point above the overall inflation rate of 2.7 per cent for the year ending in January. White bread has gone up by 4c, butter has climbed 34c, cheddar cheese has increased 45c, bringing 1kg to €11.27. Steak has experienced a substantial price surge over the past year, with a 1kg sirloin cut rising by €4.68.
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Ireland cost of living continues to rise
Meanwhile, in the United States, the price of the beloved Irish stout has also jumped. By early 2025, a pint of Guinness in the United States costs about $7.49 on average, up from $7.13 in 2024, according to LinkedIn figures.
Prices differ widely depending on the location and can top $10 in big cities such as New York and San Francisco, while some states report typical prices above $9.
Irish alcohol prices in supermarkets have also escalated, with a 500ml can of lager increasing 2c to €2.42, whilst cider now costs €2.71. Sinn Féin's Louise O'Reilly described these increases as "absolutely wild" and noted there's "no sign of it easing", reports the Irish Mirror.
She said: "It is getting harder and harder for families to manage and when you factor in the cost of rent people are starting to fall further behind. People are getting to the check out and they are making hard decisions.
"The Government tells people to shop around but people are already shopping in discount shops and buying own brand, trimming back and now it's down to cutting back on food. Parents are skipping meals and reducing portion sizes to ensure their kids are fed."
The party spokesperson on social protection stated the Government had been cautioned by the opposition that poverty is intensifying as inflation climbs.
She added: "The cost of living has gone up and none of the measures in the Budget are designed to curb this.
"I see it every single day of the week in my constituency office that this is a very serious issue. The cost of energy and fuel poverty is also very real. People are choosing to heat or eat."
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The latest consumer price index revealed some decreases, including a 22 cent drop in the price of a 2.5kg bag of potatoes and a 1 cent reduction for an 800g loaf of brown sliced pan. The education sector experienced the steepest rise in costs, jumping 8.9 percent.
This stems from third-level education expenses increasing by €500. The Government permanently reduced annual fees to €2,500, however the previous year featured a temporary €1,000 reduction.
Clothing and footwear experienced a 7.3 percent increase over the past year. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance (-0.6 percent) and Transport (-0.1 percent) were the sole categories to demonstrate a decline. Compared to December 2025, the categories showing the most significant rises were alcohol and tobacco (+2.7 per cent) and health (+0.3 per cent).
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