Nationwide Guinness shortage set to hit pubs days before Christmas
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Guinness aficionados could be facing a bleak Christmas as stocks of the beloved brew dwindle in UK pubs, with some even at risk of being completely Guinness-free come the holiday period. The iconic Irish stout is running low across British bars, with reports indicating that certain establishments have already exhausted their supplies, while others brace for scarcity by imposing customer limits.
This shortage has been exacerbated by some pub owners panic buying in an ill-fated bid to stave off a dry spell during the peak season. Compounding the problem, breweries have started capping the number of kegs pubs can acquire at once due to logistical snags.
Simultaneously, the 'Guinness Challenge' has exploded on social media platforms, unexpectedly catapulting the beverage to fame among younger drinkers and sparking an extraordinary demand surge. Consequently, Diageo, the producers of Guinness, have been forced to limit shipments of the beer to public houses throughout England, Wales, and Scotland.
A Diageo spokesperson previously disclosed to The Independent: "Over the past month we have seen exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in GB. We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.".
Pub proprietors all over Britain are scrambling to prolong their stocks into the holiday season, fearing that punters might be left "disappointed" come Christmas. Katie Davidson, who runs the Old Ivy House in London, revealed to The Times the lengths they're going to keep the beer flowing: issuing cards allowing customers to purchase a pint of Guinness after they've bought two other drinks.
