London pub introduces loyalty cards amid Guinness shortage fears for Christmas

A London pub has introduced Guinness Ration Cards for their patrons amid a shortage of the beloved Irish stout.

Following a rush of sales in recent weeks, Guinness owner Diageo are seeking to implement a set of allocations for pubs in the UK on a weekly basis.

The stout’s brewery in London shut down in 2005, leaving pubs and restaurants in the UK depending on Irish imports of the beverage from Ireland.

RATION CARD

Following fears that they may run out of the black stuff before their next delivery, London pub The Old Ivy House last week introduced Guinness Ration Cards as they confirmed the drink was ‘in short supply countrywide.’

Sharing a picture of the ration card, which patrons would be given, the pub said: ‘We are down to 3 barrels with our next delivery not due until next Wednesday — at the busiest time of the year!!’

The ration card saw two blank circles followed by a third which read ‘One ration of Guinness’ in the circle.

‘In these difficult times of Guinness rationing we require our beloved patrons to purchase 2 other drinks before they can buy their ration of Guinness,’ the card read.

The pub followed up on Monday to say that they had had an emergency courier organised outside of their usual delivery window.

‘EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER DEMAND’

It comes following a spokesperson for Diageo confirming to Sky News that the company had seen ‘exceptional consumer demand’ for Guinness in Great Britain.

They said: ‘We have maximized supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.’

The Times reported that the recent increase in sales of the drink could be due to ‘Guinnfluencers’ promoting the drink on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.