Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway remembers fondly the days when his cultured palate was enriched with vast quantities of 50 cent cans of Rheineck beer.

I remember this from my student days. We would always look at the cheapest product that week, whether it be Tui, or Rheineck, or some of those other quality products. I remember Rheineck being 50c a can – it was disgusting.

And this is the prime example of buying something for one purpose only, and that is for its alcohol content and its cheapness, because you wouldn’t buy Rheineck on the taste …

… from the NZ Herald.

Quite right, too. You wouldn’t buy Rheineck on the taste. Why would you buy Rheineck?

You can still buy Rheineck. It’s currently on special at Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown. $13.59 for a 12-pack of 330ml cans. Today’s price per can is $1.29, compared to 50 cents circa 1999. That’s a 250% price increase in 12 years.

… So, yes, we do need to increase the price

So, no, Iain. We don’t.