It’s a logistical nightmare in the UK as pubs run out of their bestselling lagers, thanks to a perfect storm of circumstances that are impacting big pub chains locked into contacts with big beer producers.

So why is this happening and why now?

Well let’s start with COVID-19 which continues to disrupt supply lines. There’s currently a CO2 shortage as wall a labor shortage with workers being pinged by the National Health Service and being mandated to self-isolate when they learn that they’ve been exposed to someone with the virus.

BBPA’s Emma McClarkin

This has led to what the UK is calling a “pingdemic” and a shortage of beer delivery drivers, brewery employees and pub workers.

Add to that already volatile situation, the fact that beer delivery drivers (they call them  draymen over in the UK) employed by GXO Logistics Drinks are set to strike for 24 hours on 24th August and again on 2nd September.

According to Beer Today, workers at GXO Logistics, who account for over 40% of beer deliveries in the UK and primarily handle big beer brands like Heineken, have rejected the company’s “offer of a 1.4% pay rise, bearing in mind inflation is currently at 3.9%. Drayman have also lost wages while on furlough.”

Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association Emma McClarkin pointed squarely at the shortage of truck drivers for the issues.

‘The HGV driver shortage is being felt by our sector like so many others,” Ms McClarkin said. “Brewers and their logistics partners are working round the clock doing all they can to ensure deliveries.”

But with big beer brands drying up at pubs, craft beer advocates like the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) are arguing the country’s small independent brewers stand ready to pick up the slack…

James Calder SIBA

This from SIBA chief executive, James Calder…

“British independent breweries are producing some of the best beers anywhere in the world and can be found across every corner of the UK. They are brewing a hugely diverse range of styles, from lagers and pale ales, to porters, stouts and, of course, cask real ale.

“The UK’s independent brewers are ready and waiting to fill the supply gaps we’re seeing hit an already struggling hospitality industry. Distinct, quality local beers could prove more popular with customers than your original offering of global beer, which are available anywhere.