GUINNESS bosses have confirmed that supplies of the popular stout will continue to be rationed over Christmas and the New Year.
A shortage of the beloved Irish stout has hit boozers around the UK, with some running dry and others putting limits on sales.
Guinness has blamed the supply shortages on “unprecedented demand”.
A spokesperson for Guinness maker Diageo said rationing would continue into the New Year.
It will aim to replenish the supply chain in January and hopes to have availability at its normal level in time for the Six Nations rugby tournament, which takes place between January and March.
Many pubs have been rationing supplies of the Dublin-brewed tipple through the Christmas party season, while others have said they will run out imminently.
Booze giant Diageo has said the limits on supply only apply to pubs in England, Wales and Scotland, not Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.
A spokesperson explained: “We are grateful to all our customers for their engagement, collaboration, and patience over the past three weeks.
“We are producing more Guinness today than we ever have in our 265-year history, and we continue to work closely with customers across our network to manage Guinness distribution as efficiently as possible, ensuring we maximise supply and minimise disruptions for pubs, retailers, and consumers.
“Demand remains at unprecedented levels, and we will continue to allocate supplies on a managed basis until the end of December, before beginning a phased replenishment of the supply chain in January to ensure a return to normal
in Great Britain for the Guinness Six Nations.”
The Liffey pub in Liverpool was left without the stout last week, according to the BBC.
The pub’s boss said that he usually gets 12, 50-litre barrels a week from his main distributor, but last week he was told he could only have one.
This meant the pub had run dry of the so-called “black gold” by Wednesday.
Other pubs have been grappling with the shortages but have generally been able to restore their supply within a few days.
Irish bar chain Katie O’Brien’s said that its Durham and Leicester locations ran out for two days last week.
Elsewhere, punters visiting The Old Ivy House in Clerkenwell must buy two other drinks before they are entitled to a pint of the black stuff.
It has introduced special cards which have to be signed and stamped by staff to prove punters are entitled to purchase “one ration of Guinness“.
Co-owner Del Currie said the hostelry usually got through around eight barrels per week but received just three kegs this week.
Last week, he told pub trade newspaper The Morning Advertiser: “Instead of freaking out and saying, ‘There’s going to be no Guinness for Christmas, we thought we’d have a bit of fun with it.
“We started doing it last night and it ended up being quite fun – people really enjoyed it.”
Del said the watering hole in central London, would continue with the ration cards “while stocks last”.
The Marquis pub in Covent Garden, central London, said it temporarily ran out of Guinness for one night earlier this month.
And the owner of the Polo Bar in central London said his taps went dry on Saturday evening while he awaited a fresh delivery, according to The Times.
Guinness makers Diageo have been forced to restrict the supply of the Dublin-brewed tipple following “exceptional consumer demand” at UK pubs.
Separately, data from food and drinks industry research firm CGA revealed volumes of Guinness sold from kegs were up more than 20% between July and October.
Diageo said: “We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.”
The spike in demand is understood to have come from a spell of colder weather and four weekends of rugby union internationals in November.
This may have stretched the supply of the Irish stout, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.
The iconic brand has even found fans across social media, who brand themselves “Guinnfluencers”.
The drink is also hugely popular among rugby fans, having been affiliated with the sport for 60 years.
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
Punters were left fuming earlier this month when Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) announced it was ditching 11 classic cask beers.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) slammed the decision as “another example of a globally owned business wiping out UK brewing heritage”.
A number of major beer brands have slashed the strength of their lagers in a budget-boosting move too.
Hophead has reduced its ABV from 3.8% to 3.4% with landlords still being charged the same wholesale price.
Bottles of Banks’s Amber Ale were also changed from 3.8% to 3.4% in the middle of last year.
Meanwhile, Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, Grolsch Premium Pilsner and Banks’ Amber Ale have been reduced to 3.4%.
The move from a number of beer brands come after drinks started being taxed by alcoholic strength.
The change since August means that drinks are now taxed according to strength rather than type.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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