I'm not calling shinanigans but even Becks or Veltins is about 15 quid for a 24 pack. I agree that you get about 10c a bottle back for the pfand. But as for the cheap stuff, I'm sure I could get plenty of yellow pack beer here or even dutch gold or something but if you compare like for like I think 24 Heiniken for 24 quid is a very good offer. I was paying 4Euro a six pack in Germany for Heiniken which was for 330ml bottles. Say €3.50 after pfand, it's still €21 for 12lt of beer. Yes cheaper but I'm sure you'll agree its in the same ball park.
I stand by my guns. 24 for 24 is fine with me.

This is in east germany now in 2007 or so. Doubt things have changed that much. I don't think you could compare it to dutch gold. Just a local brewery knocking out simple beers with zero marketing. I remember Lild had 500ml plastic bottles of beer for some sort of insanely cheap price of sub 20c per bottle.

This is an example, cost me about 20-25c a bottle!
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ratskrone- ... 49351/1/3/

Why were you buying Heineken in Germany?

Just like the taste, although I do also drink plenty of Hefeweissen. I also like to drink Nederberg in Germany, the €4.99 price tag in Rewe or Karstadt makes it taste extra nice. Don't get me wrong, I've never been a fan of the Vintners and do most of my drinking with my friends in one of our houses. I will really be put out if the government want to bring in laws because the free market doesn't support their buddies.

I think you may have unwittingly come up with the winning entry in the 'what to call the new Irish currency?' competition.

Der (Die? Das?) Irische Ratskrone

Die Krone...

Me neither, but it's not quite as bad as you suggest.


Close enough to my experience - though i go for the 20x500ml myself, since it's 10L vs 8L for about the same price. Most pils is between 10.50 and 13.50 a crate, plus about 4 euro for pfand for bottles and crate (which i never really notice because it's always a full crate swap). A euro or two more for hefe. Makes 24€ for 24 (was it 330 or 500ml?) still look kinda pricey.

Great way to boost the profits of the ferry/van hire companies.

Genie is out of the bottle with regards to cheap alcohol so no matter what VFI/Government try and do people won't go back to paying

As others have said, booze is much cheaper in other countries. It's also more widely available - you can buy a beer at any corner shop in Germany, any cafe in Mediterranean countries. What these countries don't have, curiously, is a strong pub culture. Alcohol is consumed with food, or at home with your other half or with friends - surely the big difference in Ireland and the UK is the explicit place in society of places dedicated to the consumption of alcohol. That's why we have binge drinking, and drunkenness. In a convivial atmosphere, drinking by the pint, in a round, maybe with a couple of shots thrown in.. of course you will drink way more than at home sharing bottles of wine.

The VFI telling us how to moderate drinking is like drug pushers telling us how to reduce heroin addiction.

Listen to Matt Cooper on Tuesday 17th.

Start 6 minutes in. You have to listen... Brendan Keenan then onto to 14 minutes in.

http://media.todayfm.com/listenback/98/ ... eID=656328

The drug gangs must be salivating at the thought of higher drink prices and more restrictions on its sale. (Only yesterday, I heard Fr Peter McVerry on the airwaves talking about the fact that Crystal Meth has arrived in Ireland in a big way!)

Season 5 of Breaking bad has just started, coincidence

Probably shouldn't joke about these things......

What I think needs to be discussed is that a steering group report commissioned and chaired by Government departs is under pressure from a minority of departments who were also included in the steering group.

The report considers the economic benefits and costs of alcohol consumption in Ireland and stated that:


While I don't necessarily agree with all of the recommendations in the report (such as minimum pricing), it has been quite clearly well researched, discussed and open to submissions from anybody. All of the recommendations contained in the report were supported by a majority of the steering group and I think should therefore be implemented. I would particularly like to see the ban on sponsorship implemented because advertising does make a difference (probably why there is such pressure to push the date back).

Once again it appears that the vested interests of the minority and big buisiness are more important than the wellbeing and health of the majority in this country.

Here's a link to the report if anyone wants to read it.
http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/Ste ... f?direct=1

edited for clarity

I've read that report and I find it to be badly-reserached and the figures grossly exaggerated.
Very moralistic tone to it too.

Early death is much cheaper...

http://www.thejournal.ie/alcohol-consum ... 1-Feb2012/

We are drinking less beer and less spirits than has been the case in previous decades. This has been offset by an increase in wine drinking. Our consumption is on par with other European countries and hardly out of control.