Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- The price of a pint of beer may increase 60 percent in the U.K. in 2008 after the wet summer led to a poor cereal crop and costs rose, the Financial Times reported.

Brewers are being forced to pass costs onto drinkers after the price of hops almost doubled, while barley increased by 40 percent and aluminum and glass package prices went up in recent months, the newspaper said, citing Bruce Davidson, an analyst at Blue Oar Securities.

The average price of beer in the U.K. may rise by 60 percent to 3.74 pounds ($7.45) a pint from 2.34 pounds, the FT said, citing the Campaign for Real Ale.

To contact the reporter for this story: Bill Murray in London at wmurray1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 29, 2007 05:57 EST