London Brewery Revives 2013 Pint Prices Amid Rising Costs
In a nostalgic nod to simpler times, a London brewery is rolling back the clock on pint prices this weekend. Five Points Brewing Co in Hackney, East London, is selling beers at 2013 rates, allowing customers to enjoy a pint for just £4.25 from now through Sunday. This initiative comes as a relief to Londoners grappling with the capital's escalating cost of living, where the average pint now costs £6.75, and some central locations charge over £7.50.
A Glimpse into the Past: Why 2013 Matters
The year 2013 evokes memories of cultural phenomena like the Harlem Shake and Miley Cyrus's VMA performance, but it also represents a period of lower prices. Since then, UK prices have surged by approximately 48.76%, driven largely by post-pandemic inflation. For context, what cost £10.00 in 2013 would equate to £14.21 in February 2026. Ed Mason, co-founder and managing director of Five Points Brewing Co, explains that this weekend's promotion is a way to thank loyal customers and neighbors in Hackney during what has been a challenging time for independent pubs.
Mason emphasizes, however, that due to relentless increases in beer duty and other operational costs, such offers cannot be sustained regularly. Beer duty in the UK, now almost three times the EU average after a 3.66% rise aligned with the Retail Price Index in the 2025 Autumn budget, has forced many pubs to hike prices or shut down. In 2025 alone, one pub per day closed in England and Wales, with UKHospitality predicting 540 more closures this year without government intervention.
The Broader Impact on London's Pub Scene
London's pub landscape is under strain, with around 3,500 establishments facing pressure to raise prices. Yet, there are pockets of affordability. For instance, boroughs like Newham offer pints for as low as £4.20, while The Ardwick pub in Blackpool has gained fame for charging £1.80 per pint, reminiscent of 1997 prices. Landlady Lynn Haworth attributes her low prices to high sales volume, not intentional discounting.
This weekend at Five Points Brewing Co, Londoners can briefly escape the financial burden, reliving an era when a fiver could cover a night out. As Mason puts it, this gesture is a massive thank you to the community, highlighting the brewery's resilience 13 years after its launch. While the future remains uncertain for many pubs, this event offers a temporary respite and a reminder of the value of local support in tough economic times.
