Ryan’s Bar in North London, a popular spot for locals in and around Stoke Newington, is experiencing the effects of a Guinness shortage, like many pubs across Britain. On a typical evening at the bar, patrons can be found enjoying everything from a chess tournament downstairs to a meeting of dog walkers upstairs. However, there’s one thing missing for many customers—Guinness.
Bar owner Ged O’Sullivan, originally from Waterford, revealed that the pub had been affected by a supply shortage for the iconic Irish stout. “About three weeks ago, when we went to put in our beer order, they told us there was a shortage. We could only order less Guinness than we normally order,” he said. When inquiring about the cause, he was told the shortage was due to “exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in Britain.”
The drinks company Diageo, which owns Guinness, confirmed that this surge in demand has been a key factor in the supply issues. According to research from food and drinks strategy firm CGA, Guinness has seen significant growth, particularly among younger drinkers. Chris Sterling, a spokesperson for CGA, noted that “Guinness has seen quite a bit of growth over the past few years” and has become the largest beer by volume in Britain over the past 12 months. The growth has been especially noticeable post-COVID and is driven by a diverse range of consumers.
O’Sullivan agrees, noting that Guinness sales at Ryan’s Bar have continued to rise, particularly in the past six months. “We think it’s through social media, TikTok, Instagram, and those things,” he explained. “It’s also the trend, especially with young people, drinking Guinness in place of other drinks.”
Laura, one of Ryan’s staff and a regular customer, shared her own observations. “I think it’s because people have seen each other drinking it, and celebrities like Charlie XCX and Kim Kardashian are drinking it too,” she said.
In Fitzrovia, the owners of ‘The Hope,’ another Irish pub in London, have adapted by promoting Murphy’s Stout as an alternative to Guinness. Philip O’Sullivan, co-owner of The Hope, revealed that Murphy’s has seen an uptick in sales. “We had a bit of foresight,” he joked. “We’ve got two options, so we’ve got Guinness and Murphy’s, and I’d like to say that Murphy’s outsells Guinness most weeks here.”
Despite the challenges in Britain, Diageo assured that the Guinness supply in Ireland remains unaffected. A spokesperson for the company said, “We have maximised supply and are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.”
