Reports have confirmed that starting next month, the cost of a pint is all set to rise by up-to 10 pence. With the price rise, pubs will see a pint of Guinness going beyond 3 Pounds and Stella Artois will be costing 3.24 Pounds.

According to the industry experts, the hike in prices has been necessary because landlords, who are already hurt by the economic downfall, cannot afford to absorb the rise in VAT, which has returned to its 17.5% level.

Diageo, the owner of Guinness, has blamed the weak value of the pound and volatile commodity prices for the 5.1% hike in prices.

InBev, the maker of Stella, on the other hand, stated that the company's 4% increase has been a result of "continuing difficult market conditions".

The rise in prices has come as grim news for landlords and drinkers, with about 50% of the pubs recording a decline in sales over the holiday period.

"These price rises are another burden on an industry already suffering from the economic climate and competition from supermarkets", said Editor of The Morning Advertiser, which had recently carried out a survey and revealed that a-fifth of the pubs have recorded a 20% fall in sales over the festive season, John Harrington.