CHEERS TO THAT: Port Douglas beer prices not too bad, comparatively, to our interstate drinking buddies
NOT TOO BAD
Like most things in life Douglas Shire residents are being hit hard at the hip pocket because of the ongoing nature of increased cost of living expenses.
That also includes the rising costs of buying our favourite frothy on tap, but not all is bad, with those in the know suggesting, comparatively speaking, that Douglas beer drinkers aren’t doing too badly in relation to our drinking buddies across the country.
Pubs are no different too most places – they also face rising costs – with security, freight prices and keg prices all increasing in recent times.
A walk around Douglas to a number of our local establishments and some chats with duty managers at our pubs indicated that in more recent times the average tap prices had increased by around 50c - $1.00.
A wander into the Court House Hotel for example, saw a schooner of Great Northern cost $10, a XXXX Gold was $9.50, a Balter was $13.50, a Carlton Dry $12 and a Carlton Draught was $10.
“Typically, our interstate patrons from Sydney or Melbourne regularly comment about just how much cheaper it is to buy a beer here in Port Douglas than back where they live,” a Douglas pub manager told Newsport.
“Even those we chat to from Western Australia who visit Douglas seem to comment on how they can get a beer here at most places for a few bucks cheaper than back home.”
The general price of a coldie experienced a price hike back on February 1 after its tax was raised by the ATO.
Since that time the average price of a schooner has been around $12.
The ATO said tax on beer is directly related to inflation and that its cost per drink rises every six months.