Beer cheapest in North West

Beer drinkers get more for their money in the North West

Beer drinkers in the North West are enjoying the lowest price of a pint in the UK, according to a survey.

The average price of a pint of lager in the region is on average 17p cheaper than in the South East, where it is the most expensive.

Figures compiled by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) show it is the only region to enjoy lager prices lower than £2, at £1.98 a pint, on average.

Lager drinkers across the country pay on average £2.17 for a pint, 6p more than they did in 2002. An average pint of real ale has also increased by 6p, up from £1.92 last year.

We'll continue to campaign for a reduction in beer duty

Mike Benner, Camra

More than 1,000 pubs were visited across the country in March this year, when Camra researchers recorded 6,500 beer and cider prices.

The North West also boasts the cheapest real ales, at around £1.75 a pint, as opposed to £2.15 in the South East.

The South West is the cheapest for a pint of real cider - naturally fizzy - at £1.83, compared to East Anglia where it is £2.36.

Keg cider - which is carbonated - costs £2.10 in the North West and £2.36 in London and the South East.

The most expensive pint in the South East is £2.35, which is just above London at £2.34.

Chancellor's increases

The South East is also most expensive place for a pint of stout - such as Guinness - at £2.48 a pint, which is 36p more expensive then the average pub in Wales.

Mike Benner, Camra's head of campaigns, said: "The chancellor put a penny on a pint of beer in this year's budget, which will have increased prices in pubs by 2p or 3p a pint.

"We'll continue to campaign for a reduction in beer duty as this will help stamp out smuggling.

"[It will also] encourage people to visit and enjoy British pubs on a more regular basis, rather than drinking cheap imported lager at home."