It quoted Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association chairman Keu Kok Meng as saying that retailers had received an official notice on the matter from the two brands.

“We were informed about the matter three weeks ago,” he reportedly said.

Keu said the decision was made due to increasing operational and ingredient costs, and that the last time beer prices were raised was in July 2022, by about 6%.

He said the impending price hike for beer would impose a heavier burden on coffee shops than increases in other essentials such as coffee and tea powder, electricity and water bills, and sugar.

“There is only so much we can bear. Retailers like coffee shops have no choice but to raise our own prices,” he said.

The owner of a bar in Petaling Jaya also confirmed the matter to FMT.

Heineken Malaysia produces Heineken, Tiger Beer, Guinness, Strongbow, Apple Fox, Anchor, Kilkenny and Edelweiss, among others, while Carlsberg Malaysia’s products include Carlsberg, 1664, Somersby, Connor’s, and Skol.

FMT has reached out to Heineken Malaysia and Carlsberg Malaysia for comment.

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