BEER drinkers face a North-South divide — with pints costing almost three times as much in London as other parts of the country.
The average pint in the cheapest town — Consett, Co Durham — is just £2.65 compared to £6.63 in the capital.
The Sun reported on Monday how the price of beer has almost doubled in 15 years — and hit £9 a pint in some London venues.
We have now teamed up with data consultancy CGA to analyse beer prices at 5,500 pubs and bars in 850 areas.
Blaydon in Tyne and Wear, Ferryhill in Co Durham, and Dalton-In-Furness in Cumbria join Consett as northern towns with a sub-£3 pint, on average.
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Of the ten most expensive areas — all £6.35-plus — eight are in the capital.
The other two — Virginia Water in Surrey and Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire — are villages close by.
Varying business rates, rents, and wages are key reasons for price differences, experts said.
Paul Bolton, from CGA, said: “We definitely see a North-South divide.
“There are a number of reasons . . . but it is ultimately also down to what consumers are willing to pay in those areas.
“However, it’s not all black and white.
“A pint in the centre of Manchester is likely to cost significantly more than one just seven miles away in Hyde.”
Jane Peyton, of drinking website the School of Booze, said: “We are seeing pint prices rise as costs for barley, energy and delivery increase.
“When ordering a beer in the North I’ve often questioned the price and said, ‘I asked for a pint not a half,’ and they laugh and say, ‘This is not London’.”
