Guinness owner Diageo is hiking the price of a pint once again.

The company has confirmed that it plans to increase the price of Guinness by the equivalent of 6c per pint and the price of Guinness 0.0 by 9c per pint.

The 6c rise is also expected to impact on Diageo’s other brands including Harp, Carlsberg, Hop House 13, Smithwicks and Rockshore.

The hike is the latest in a series of price increases announced by Diageo in recent years.

The company hiked the price of a pint by the equivalent of 16c in two separate increases last year.

"Hammer blow"

In a statement, the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) said the latest increase is a “hammer blow” to the pub trade.

“The announcement by Diageo is not just disappointing, it's a critical hit to an industry on the brink,” said VFI Chief Pat Crotty.

“Publicans have been navigating a storm of rising costs, including the increase in minimum wage, additional mandatory sick days and the impending pension auto-enrolment scheme [and] this latest price hike is a blow they cannot afford.”

Supports

The VFI is calling on the Government to return the hospitality VAT rate to 9%, reduce excise on alcohol and reduce PRSI to ensure Ireland’s pub trade remains viable.

A Diageo spokesperson said the increases are necessary due to “rising input costs across our Irish business operations”.

In a letter to publicans the company noted that “retail pricing is at your discretion, and you remain free at all times to set the price of our products”.

The price hike will come into effect from April 15th.