In: Economics
A monopoly can price its products above the marginal cost
depending upon the elasticity of demand. Let price elasticity of
demand be E
E = (dQ/dP) * P/Q
R = PQ
MR = dR/dQ = Q * dP/dQ + P * 1
MR = P (1/E) + 1)
The markup for price = (1/E) + 1, i.e. higher the elasticity of demand, lower is the markup.
In the two examples above, the lager consumers are expected to have lower price elasticity as they have a specific taste and will find it relatively difficult to change their preferences, however, in general consumers of beer will tend to have a higher price elasticity of demand and might switch (substitute) beer for wine, whisky etc.