THE price of a pint has reached “ridiculous” levels in Melbourne as hipsters shell out up to $23 for a single beer.

A Sunday Herald Sun investigation into beer prices has found the cost of a cold one at a craft beer pub is becoming out of reach for many.

But rusted-drinkers who stick to the tried and true brands of Carlton Draught and Victoria Bitter have scoffed at the craft-beer trend.

Les Barrett, who enjoys a pot at the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club, was stunned when told the price being charged for a beer at some trendy pubs.

“I’m retired — I’d have to go back to work to afford that,” he said.

MORE: Wine and beer feel pinch as cider sales boom

But when Mr Barrett and Mr Moran received a free sample of one of the $23 pints, they didn’t mind the taste — as long as they were not paying.

But the high prices haven’t put off some drinkers. Craft beer sales are on the rise while consumption of mass-produced beer is down to levels last seen in 1945.

Carlton Hall of Fame inductee David Rhys-Jones, who used to work in his wife’s pub in Carlton, said the cost of beer in pubs was encouraging people to drink at home.

“The local is just about done and dusted now,” he said.

“It’s no wonder people drink at home. I was at the footy up in Sydney and I haven’t bought a beer for a while (because I’m usually in the corporate areas) and it was $28.80 for four beers, I said to my mates ‘it’s an expensive day at the footy’.”

He said the land on which some inner-city pubs sat was worth more than the business.

But the demand for boutique beers that cost more than the hourly minimum wage is growing among younger drinkers.

Owner of Newport’s Junction Beer Hall and Wine Room, Jackie Mahony, said higher quality beers were more expensive because most contained a higher alcohol content, which pushed up import taxes, and used more ingredients for a smaller yield than a standard brew.

Belgian Beer Cafe venue manager EJ Lizier said beer nerds were hap py to pay up to $25 for a pint at his venue.

The beer hall also boasts 170 types of bottled beer — among them the 6L, $600 a bottle St Bernardus.

“The last time we sold this was to a couple at their wedding,” Mr Lizier said.

“But people will spend a couple of hundred dollars over a night on good quality beer.”

The bar’s menu features “tasting notes” as, like wine tasters, connoisseurs liked to know how the beer felt on the palate and on the nose, the aftertaste and the food it paired with, Mr Lizier said.

Among the brews on tap when the Sunday Herald Sun spoke to the Belgian Beer Cafe this month were Canadian brewery Les Trois Mousquetaires’ Kellerbier for $23 a pint and American Pale Ale Stronzo Simon Says for $21.

Beer lover Hugh Gundlach, who carried out a taste test of the Belgian Beer Cafe’s exclusive brew for the Sunday Herald Sun, said the higher price tag would not turn him off trying the beers.

“Sure $20 can buy a sixpack of craft beer elsewhere but, like with wine, there’s a premium market (of beers). Everyone can enjoy trying something different,” he said.

“With so much choice on offer on tap and in bottled beers, it would be a crime to try only lagers (like Carlton Draught or VB).”

CUB spokeswoman Jen Howard said traditional beers were still popular but the brewery was adapting to changing tastes.

OUR VERDICT

LETAIRES KELLERBIER $23

Belgian Beer Cafe says: “Franconian-style Keller beer (cellar beer) unfiltered pilsener with 5 per cent alcohol. Made in Canada in a French style.”

ED WATERS: “Very smooth and tasty beer, however not something you’d necessarily have very often.”

HUGH GUNBLACH: “Lighter on the carbonation than VB or Carlton Draught — you can see the difference in the fewer, tiny bubbles which make it a really smooth beer. It has a floral, fruitier finish but it is not too sweet. Very drinkable.”

LES BARRETT: “It tastes like a smooth, bitter, crafted beer. I don’t mind it. It’s got a good body and it’s light.”

When told of the price:

“It’s not worth that much.”

TIM MORAN: “Yeah that’s nice. It’s got a great flavour to it. It’s very easy to drink, which makes you keep coming back for another sip.”

When told of the price: “I wouldn’t pay $23 for it. That’s too much.”

samantha.landy@news.com.au

Twitter: @SamLandy