BEER lovers who hanker for the days when a pint cost just £2 should head to Wrexham, a study found.
Famous for its football club, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, it tops the table for budget bevvies.
It comes after official data released this month showed the average price for a pint of lager in the UK was £4.79 – a staggering 140% pricier than the same tipple in the Welsh city.
The last time British drinkers parted with an average of £2 for a pint of beer was in the year 2000, Office for National Statistics figures show.
Next best value spot for a pub crawl in 2024 is Bury, Greater Manchester, where a pint of beer is typically priced £2.75.
Nearby Bolton (£3.10), Blackpool, Lancs (£3.25) and Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, Scotland (£3.25) round off the big five savers for ale fans.
North of the Border beer hotspots Dunfermline and Glenrothes, where pub-goers can blow the froth off a cold one for just £3.40, Hull, East Yorks (£3.47), Northampton (£3.50) and Scottish town Ayr (£3.50) complete the top 10.
The data, collated by hospitality supply firm Alliance Online, covers draught lager, other keg beers, and traditional cask real ale.
Researchers found the cheapest pint in Wrexham at Wetherspoon watering hole The Elihu Yale, where a pint of Bud Light or Worthington’s Creamflow was £1.99, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Red Dragons’ STōK Racecourse stadium.
While landlady at The Long Pull, Lisa Lock, said: “Cost of living is a big one for the whole industry, but we manage to keep our prices as low as possible and the customers keep coming back.”
Elsewhere, Glyn’s Bar, where Wrexham supporters enjoy matchday bevvies, said it served pints for just £2.30 on Thursdays.
The report said: “The Welsh city of Wrexham is crowned the cheapest place in the UK for a beer.
“Famous for Wrexham AFC, headed up by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, their fans will be happy to know that they have access to bargain beer after a match.”
Alliance Online marketing manager Rachael Kiss added: “Our study shows that customers can still very much get a bargain beer if they look for one.”
You can read the full list below:
- Wrexham, Wales – £2.00
- Bury, England – £2.75
- Bolton, England – £3.10
- Blackpool, England – £3.25
- Kilmarnock, Scotland – £3.25
- Dunfermline, Scotland – £3.40
- Glenrothes, Scotland – £3.40
- Hull, England – £3.47
- Northampton, England – £3.50
- Ayr, Scotland – £3.50
Why have beer prices risen?
Prolonged periods of high inflation have led the price of a pint to rise over the past few years.
World issues such as Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine also mean the price of barley, which is a key ingredient in beer, has risen.
These factors, coupled with rising energy costs, have meant that many pubs and bars have had to raise the cost of pints to cover their own overheads.
This has damaged the UK hospitality sector with many businesses forced to close for good as punters can no longer able to afford a trip to their local.
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.