![[US] Beer prices](http://images.ctfassets.net/rric2f17v78a/2vtOEoi9OxGyDph78HddZd/2e6bb38a0e6fac2a028a5bad7c6058fe/AdobeStock_193318580.png)
What is the price of a beer at restaurants?
The median price of a beer at Toast restaurants in June 2026 was $6.60.
In June 2026, beer prices rose 2.2% year-over-year compared to June 2025.
In June 2026, beer prices held steady month-over-month compared to May 2026.
Key Takeaways
Month | Median Beer Price | Year-over-year percent change |
June 2025 | $6.46 | +2.5% |
July 2025 | $6.45 | +2.5% |
August 2025 | $6.47 | +2.4% |
September 2025 | $6.47 | +2.2% |
October 2025 | $6.50 | +2.5% |
November 2025 | $6.50 | +2.2% |
December 2025 | $6.50 | +2.2% |
January 2026 | $6.48 | +2.0% |
February 2026 | $6.49 | +1.9% |
March 2026 | $6.52 | +1.9% |
April 2026 | $6.56 | +2.3% |
May 2026 | $6.60 | +2.5% |
June 2026 | $6.60 | +2.2% |
What affects beer pricing?
Whether it's a craft brew from a local brewery or a mass-produced domestic beer, the majority of beers contain four ingredients: water, hops, yeast, and grains, with barley being the most common. Beer can also be made from other grains, such as wheat, rice, corn, oats, rye, and more.
Aside from raw ingredients, other factors that affect the price of beer include taxes, distribution costs, packaging costs (such as aluminum cans and kegs or glass bottles), labor, demand, and production expenses. While there are countless American beers served in restaurants in the U.S., there are also plenty of imported beers from around the world, which can face additional costs, from tariffs to shipping costs.
At restaurants, refrigeration — from walk-in coolers filled with kegs to keep draft beers cold to lowboy fridges behind the bar for bottles and cans — staffing, and maintaining draft beer lines can also have an effect on pricing.
Key factors in recent years
Tariffs on aluminum and other metals have put the squeeze on brewers recently, especially craft breweries that might find it more difficult to shoulder the increased cost of cans, kegs, and other brewing equipment. More expensive brewing costs, especially for already pricey craft brews, could lead to an increase in prices at restaurants. Wholesale prices for kegs have, indeed, shown a sharp uptick, which would eventually find its way onto menus.
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About the Toast Menu Price Monitor
The Menu Price Monitor, powered by Toast, uncovers key menu pricing trends across the restaurant industry through aggregated sales data from restaurants on the Toast platform, which has approximately 171,000 locations as of March 31, 2026. This information is provided for general informational purposes only, and publication does not constitute an endorsement. Toast does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links, or other items contained within this content. Individual results may vary. Toast does not guarantee you will achieve any specific results if you follow any advice herein. It may be advisable for you to consult with a professional such as a lawyer, accountant, or business advisor for advice specific to your situation. The Toast Menu Item Price Tracker does not indicate Toast's operational performance or its reported financial metrics.
