'I can't afford to run out of Guinness' - Irish pub owner in UK facing shortage

Louise Walsh

An Irish pub owner in London says he can't afford to run out of Guinness after being told bad weather was hindering the delivery of trucks to the local brewery.

Colm Lynch said he will be nervous over the coming days in case he can't get any more kegs for the weekend for his customers at the Hop Pole in Wandsworth.

Mr Lynch hit the headlines before Christmas for couriering over barrels of stout to his brother Breen's pub in the city's White Chapel to ensure a steady supply of the black stuff.

In recent weeks, Diageo revealed that it was suffering a temporary shortage of Guinness in the UK due to 'unprecedented' demand as the beverage became more popular among younger tipplers.

The Hop Pole broadcasts all GAA games and would sell up to 12 barrels of Guinness each week

However he says he is down to his last 10 barrels which will only last until Friday, unless the brewery can come up trumps.

"I was told on Monday by the brewery that there was no Guinness but was assured I'd have some by Friday," the native of Kilberry, Co. Meath, said.

"I've 10 full kegs which will do me a few days but I'll be looking for more by Friday. I've been ringing around independent suppliers so I've managed to scrape two extra kegs.

"Now I'm told the bad weather is delaying trucks coming from Wales with Guinness so that's only adding to the shortage."

Mr Lynch, who has been running the pub for over 20 years and whose customers include hit singers Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi, says that despite some people thinking it's a great marketing ploy, the shortage is very real.

"I was in Brighton with my family last week and one pub had no Guinness at all and it's all we are hearing here at the pub.

"I've seen a big increase in people drinking Guinness, especially girls. Most of the ladies in here on New Year's Eve night were all drinking pints of the stuff," he said.

"I am nervous now and will be over the next few days. I will be on the phone every morning to make sure I have supplies. It's a big Guinness drinking pub here so I can't afford to run out of it."