How would you cut the costs in a pub? Take it off the barrel price? Even then theres still higher staff wages, the electric bill etc.
Do you think supermarkets are just going to roll over and accept their prices being forced up and the backlash they'd get from their customers? Some people don't like drinking in the pub and like a cheap drink at home, what about them?
I think pubs are great and we need them in the community, but I don't think its as simple as you make out.