A TRENDY pub is selling possibly the country's most expensive draft pint - that costs an astonishing £22.50.

The Craft Beer Co, which has bars across the UK, sell pints of Speedway Stout for more than FIVE TIMES the cost of an average beer.

But drinkers certainly do get a bit more bang for their buck, because the US-brewed stout is a pokey 12% ABV.

Per mililitre, the stout works out as more expensive than a bottle of luxury Belvedere vodka - which cost £45 each.

A barman in the chain's Old Street pub said that the beer, which they are happy pouring as a third of a pint for £7.50, is pricey because of the ingredients.

The beer, which is made in California by San Diego-based AleSmith Brewing Company, contains Blue Mountain Coffee from Hawaii, as well as other expensive ingredients.

With a jet black colour and thick, syrupy consistency, the coffee-flavoured brew is thought to be the most expensive draft pint in Britain.

Martin Hayes, managing director of The Craft Beer Co, said: "We sell the Alesmith Speedway Stout Hawaiian Special Edition by the 1/3 pint as standard.

"We do not stop people buying a 1/2 or even full pint should they wish, in the same way we do not stop people buying two or even three pints of standard strength lager.

"When we import into the UK and showcase some extremely rare and unusual beers that tend to be incredibly high in ABV - they do come at a premium prices."

Drinkers were unconvinced with the pricey tipple, which costs more than a good bottle of wine.

One said: "It looks delicious, but it's too busy - it tastes like an old blanket.

"For me, the coffee doesn't really do much to the pint but make it taste like it's been poured into a dirty glass.

"I'm sure it's to some people's tastes, but definitely not mine.

"It looks like Guinness but tastes like regret."

But others were more on side with the mega-posh pint.

A City worker, who asked not to be named, said: "That's a nice pint that.

"I wouldn't mind splashing out on one if it were a special occasion or something.

"But I can't imagine anybody spending an afternoon sinking beer that's more expensive than my mortgage."

The Craft Beer Co have pubs across London and the South East, and each has a different selection of draft beers.

Alesmith brewery in San Diego, California, USA, invented the stout as a 'flagship' export brew.

With an 'ominous' appearance, the flavours consist of chocolate and malts, supported by 'notes' of dark fruit, toffee, and caramel.

The average price of a pint of beer in London was marked at £5.20 in 2018 - but nationwide that figure is £4.40 last year.

The Craft Brewing Co has different draft beer selections at different pubs, and in Old Street, sour beer Melonius Blond costs a whopping £8.4 per third of a pint - but just £22 for a full pint.

Martin said that the after work ‘pint’ is now just as often the after work ‘1/2 pint’ or ‘1/3’ pint.

He claims that people are now looking to try 'new things' and flavours, with 'a 4% pint now quite often the after work 12% 1/3 of a pint'.

Martin added: "Being the original Craft Beer focused pubs in London, our business is curation, offering people an unmatched choice with unmatched hospitality and knowledge.

"We offer people a huge choice and our prices are always carefully calculated and incredibly good value."

On their website, AleSmith have a wordy description of their regular Speedway Stout, which they claim improves with age.

They said: "Speedway Stout’s ominous, pitch-black appearance has become a hallmark of this modern-day classic.

"Chocolate and roasted malts dominate the flavor, supported by notes of dark fruit, toffee, and caramel.

"A healthy dose of locally-roasted coffee from Ryan Bros. Coffee, Inc. added to each batch brings out the beer’s dark chocolate flavors and enhances its drinkability.

"Despite its intensity, Speedway Stout’s fine carbonation and creamy mouthfeel make it very smooth and surprisingly easy to drink.

"This beer ages very well and will continue to mature for many years to come."