CONOR POPElooks at why low- or non-alcoholic beer still packs a pricy punch
An issue that’s no small beer
A Spanish reader contacted us recently with a query about non-alcoholic beers. He has long presumed that the main reason alcoholic drinks cost much more in Ireland compared with Spain is due to the high level of excise duty that is attached to alcohol sales here. “But if beers have no, or very low alcohol content, why are they not much cheaper than the traditional ones?” he wonders.
“Personal tastes aside, I think bringing their prices down could increase their consumption and help reduce drink driving.” He recalls a huge marketing campaign that took place in Spain some years ago, which led to a dramatic increase in the numbers opting for low-alcohol beers.
It seems a fair point, particularly given that some supermarkets are currently selling 33cl bottles of Beck’s regular beer for ¤1 a bottle, while the non-alcoholic version on the same shelves costs €1.40. This has more to do with a combination of one-off specials and a lack of demand for non-alcoholic beers than tax-related rip-offs.We contacted a number of off-licences, and, generally, non-alcoholic beers, which are free of excise, sell for a whole lot less.
The Drink Store in Dublin’s Stoneybatter sells seven different types of non-alcoholic beer and its owner, Richard Butler, told us it sells 500ml bottles of alcohol-free Erdinger for €1.99, while the regular Erdinger costs €2.99. “All our non- or low-alcohol beers are around a euro cheaper than their alcoholic equivalents,” he says.
The dramatic increase in the popularity of cerveza sin alcohol in Spain is indisputable. Such beers are frequently available on tap in Spain. According to industry sources, the non-alcohol market is growing very slowly in the Republic and many of the beers available are of poor quality and lack the flavour of their alcoholic equivalents. Another problem is storage – alcohol-free beers kept in kegs have a considerably shorter shelf life than other beers, so are less attractive to publicans.
Dublin Airport – a wine-free zone?
And staying with matters boozy, a reader called Tom passed through Dublin Airport and fancied a glass of wine. He was dismayed to be told that the Clock Bar did not serve wine. “As the bars in Dublin Airport are all run by the same company, does this mean that it is not possible to get a glass of wine at the airport?” he wonders. He contacted the Dublin Airport Authority but heard nothing back. We called last week and a spokeswoman said that when the pubs changed ownership several weeks ago, stock was depleted, which may have led to our reader being left parched.
For a bargain rate from doctors, head abroad
Donal from Galway was on holidays in France recently and had cause to visit a GP. The cost? €25. “He gave a very thorough examination and took a detailed history, after which he took plenty of time to explain my condition and gave me a prescription. He also gave me a computer printout of the most likely diagnosis based on his examination, my symptoms and clinical history. How can GPs charge €60 to write a repeat prescription in Ireland?” he asks.
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