Beer/lager now costs upwards of £3 per pint in pubs. Why does anyone pay such horrendous prices for a commodity which retails at about 50p. per pint in the local supermarket ? Beer at home tastes the same.
Similarly all drinks in pubs are overpriced, alcoholic or otherwise. No wonder pubs are closing every week, though I blame the Exciseman, not the publican.
Likewise Mike, I resolved to give up beer when it reached 2/- (10p.) a pint. Like you, I persevered until it hovered near £1, then headed for Tesco. Have been in Tesco ever since, 'cos socialising is too damn expensive.
Some bars in Reading charge £6 for a large glass of wine (250ml or a third of a bottle) - when Tesco do deals most weeks for nice bottles of wine at a fiver (half price) then that's me staying home!