Alcohol duty UK: prices to increase after rates rise - what it means for the cost of your pint, wine or whisky
From a pint to a bottle of wine, February’s tax hike could make nights out pricier 🍺
- Alcohol duty in the UK rose by 3.66% on February 1, 2026
- Spirits, wine, and beer are all affected, with spirits seeing the biggest increases
- A bottle of gin could cost 38p more in duty, whisky 39p, red wine 14p
- Pubs and supermarkets may pass on higher costs, nudging up pint and glass prices
- Industry leaders warn price rises are unavoidable due to rising costs and taxes
From February 2026, UK drinkers can expect to see the first effects of a new alcohol duty increase, with industry leaders warning that pub-goers and supermarket shoppers may soon be paying more for their favourite tipples.
The hike, confirmed in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget, sees alcohol duty rise in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI), increasing by 3.66%.
This tax, levied on alcohol producers, has a long history of indirectly nudging up prices for consumers, and experts say this latest rise is no different.
How much more will your drinks cost?
The impact of the rise - which came into force on Sunday, February 1 - varies by type of alcohol, but the change is most noticeable for spirits.
A typical bottle of gin (37.5% ABV) will see its duty rise by 38p, taking the total tax to £8.98, while a bottle of Scotch whisky (40% ABV) is up 39p to £9.51.
Wine drinkers are not exempt: a bottle of 14.5% red wine will now carry an extra 14p in duty. While these may seem like small increases, the cumulative effect is more substantial.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) says that since August 2023, a bottle of 14.5% red wine has seen its duty rise by £1.10.
While these costs are paid by suppliers, additional charges are likely to be passed on by pubs and bars, meaning pint and glass prices will rise.
How much will a pint of beer cost?
Though wine and spirits lovers will notice the increases more keenly, the cost of a pint is likely to increased by a few pence too.
That’s not quite as sharp a shock as a sudden doubling in price, but a night out with a round of drinks could see bills creep up by a few pounds.
As such, it’s worth budgeting a little extra for a night out, or shopping around for your favourite wine and beer deals.
How has the industry reacted?
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said “these changes unfortunately increase the likelihood of further price rises,” and that brewers already pay some of the highest beer duties in Europe.
Miles Beale, WSTA chief executive, said that additional rising costs like covering national insurance, business rates, and packaging taxes, mean producers “have no choice but to increase prices in order to keep afloat,” leaving consumers to shoulder the burden.
Braden Saunders from the UK Spirits Alliance said people were being met with higher prices at the bar “just as dry January ends,” while Allen Simpson of UKHospitality said hospitality businesses are under unprecedented financial strain, urging suppliers to exercise restraint when passing on costs.
The Treasury defends the move, saying that alcohol duty contributes to funding public services like the NHS and schools, and forms part of the broader effort to keep public finances fair and sustainable.