Beer Now Cheaper Than Water In Scotland

Forty-one per cent of Britain's beer is now bought in shops and supermarkets, compared to 33 per cent in 2000 and 30 per cent in 1986, according to the beer industry.

The shift away from bars has been driven by loss-leading supermarket prices � which have left beer cheaper than water� and the smoking ban, which has led to more consumers drinking at home. Yes, beer is now cheaper than water!

For example, one store, Asda, recently slashed the price of its own value-brand beer to just 22p for a 440ml can following similar moves from competition Tesco and Sainsbury's.

That puts the price of beer at 50p a litre ($0.97). Water costs between 56p and 92p a litre at the supermarkets, while cola costs between 56p to 65p a litre.

The difference between these prices and bars is actually now so wide that it could be cheaper for many pub owners to buy their alcohol in supermarkets than from their own suppliers.

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