The price of a pint of beer across the Black Country and beyond has gone up by at least 5p, it was revealed today.

Banks’s brewer Marston’s confirmed that it had increased the wholesale price of its beers by two per cent this week – meaning a pint of Bank’s Bitter will cost drinkers at least £2.50, and as much as £2.80 or more.

While the Wolverhampton-based brewing and pubs giant has increased the price of all its beers, the actual price drinkers pay will depend on where they drink.

Marston’s said today the increase had been brought in following a 15-month price freeze, with the last increase being on October 1, 2008. Steve Benton, head of Marston’s commercial team, said: “This increase is in line with inflation, but is still below competitors’ recent price rise announcements.”

The price rise has not gone down well with licensees. One Wolverhampton landlord who did not want to be named said: “We are already struggling with the recession and the smoking ban.” CAMRA, the real ale pressure group, said it was “somewhat unfortunate” Marston’s had decided to increase their beer prices a few weeks before a Budget.