Just a year ago, Guinness owner Diageo issued a profit warning. Now the global drinks behemoth has issued a warning of another kind: in Britain, Guinness is in short supply. Apparently.
Rumours of the shortage have been somewhat lent into, not least by the media, who sway between calling it a “stunt” and a “crisis”. Is this a PR masterstroke — a nudge to drinkers to get to their local and sink a few before it’s too late? — or is it really running out?
Pubs, not so much in hushed whispers but more in public social media posts, have alluded to a less-than-secret stash of kegs that they’ve smuggled out of Ireland. Romantic visions of bootlegging abound.
But anecdotally, at least in the Standard offices, most pubs don’t seem to be missing out. But there are a few. The Hero in Maida Vale is, likewise the Coach Makers Arms in Marylebone is suffering, and only serving London Black from rival brewer Anspach and Hobday. The Tir Na N Og is reporting issues, but is still serving. The famous Devonshire in Soho, on the other hand, told the Standard they’ve not noticed a shortage at all.
Why is there a Guinness shortage in the UK?
A Diageo spokesperson said: “Over the past month, we have seen exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in Great Britain. We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.”
Diageo went on to state it “has no public data to show for it yet” but that “there has been an exceptional spike in our peak season, even by Guinness’ standards. From July to October, the ‘Total Beer Category’ volume declined by -0.5 per cent vs last year. In the same period, Diageo Beer outperformed the market and grew volume by 23.2 per cent, within this, Guinness in keg grew by 20.9 per cent.”
The brand concluded, “We have responded as quickly as possible to maximise supply and manage allocations and are working proactively with all our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible, to ensure demand keeps flowing.”
So from Diageo’s point of view, this is all simply demand outstripping supply, but on the ground most pubs seem to have sourced a steady supply. Hopefully, this isn’t some PR-driven preamble for £10 pints. Perhaps its all being driven by those after a pint of “semi-skimmed”.
Manufactured or otherwise, we’ve rung around for the pubs swerving any shortage and still stocking barrels of black. Aside from our full round-up of the very best pubs for Guinness in London, here’s where to head for a pint this week.
This Finsbury Park boozer has made known its Guinness availability, while also prompting drinkers to consider Murphy’s — which is delicious — or Camden Stout, which is passable. At £5.10 for a pint of Murphy’s, Guinness shortage or not, a delicious Irish stout is available here.
Daffodil Mulligan and Gibney’s
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Gibney’s, the basement bar found beneath Daffodil Mulligan, already serves one of London’s best pints of Guinness, small wonder as renowned Irish restaurateur Richard Corrigan is its owner. They’ve confirmed that any Guinness shortages aren’t affecting its supply, so if you’re in the city, pop in.
Clare Menary
London’s most popular spot for Guinness, London’s most talked about pub, probably the UK’s most revered hot spot; yes, the Dev still has pints. Obviously. Owner Oisín Rogers seems to have mastered the black art of the black stuff, with a Guinness line that seems to stretch directly to Dublin. Supply is strong, if you can squeeze in.
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The Dovetale Winter Village is a luxe little pop-up where the Guinness flows in a festive alpine setting. Winter lodges, fondue, whisky and yes, Guinness: one of those slightly fancy ones where they can print your face on top of the foam on the head. Why you’d want to, of course, is another question entirely.
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The Coach remains unaffected by any apparent shortage. It also happens to be one of the very best pubs in London. Cosy and warm, with a discreet seating area out front, the Coach is still a pilgrimage of sorts for media luvvies and writers, deserving of all of its plaudits.
A handful of former Devonshire staff members have found their way to the Prince Arthur, an intensely good gastro pub and local boozer. The pub has stated on its socials that Guinness might be in danger, but for now, it’s still on.
The Guinness crisis got a glut of extra attention in no small part due to the “ration card” implemented by the Old Ivy House. Drinkers are required to order two pints of something else before they’re allowed to get in a jar of Guinness. The card needs to be signed by staff upon each order before the controlled supply of Irish stout can be doled out. Mind you, it seems a clever way just to at least a few drinkers are in for at three pints each.