Breweries benefit from Guinness stout drought

Miranda Hudson, managing director of Duration Brewery, is pictured with her husband Derek Bates, head brewer and co-founder

Some independent brewers say they have been profiting from the current shortage of Guinness.

Manufacturer Diageo has limited the amount of the Irish stout that pubs can buy in the run-up to Christmas after "exceptional demand" over recent weeks.

Woodforde's Brewery, of Woodbastwick, Norfolk, said it had seen a surge in sales of its own stout.

And Miranda Hudson, managing director of Duration Brewery, also based in Norfolk, said: "For us, Guinness having a shortage has been a way to get our stouts on the bar."

She said the brewery, based at West Acre, near King's Lynn, had an American stout called Ebb and Flow that was proving popular.

James Ramm of Woodforde's said its beers had seen a surge in sales in recent weeks

Guinness has been rising in popularity with women and young people, and recent rugby internationals have put a strain on supplies.

James Ramm, head of sales at Woodforde's, said "Christmas has been good. We've seen a surge in sales over the last two weeks with the issues with Guinness.

"We're getting more and more people coming to us asking about our Albion Stout."

Mr Ramm said he was not sure how long the shortage would continue, but that it would be good to keep its product behind bars.

"Our stout has been really well received when it is put on the bar. Our brewers are really proud of it," he said.

Mike Deal, director at Wildcraft Brewery, based at Smallburgh, near Stalham, said it produced its own stout, Wild Stallion, but had not seen any increase in sales due to the Guinness shortage.

Ash Corbett-Collins, chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: "The UK is full of talented brewers who are producing some incredible stouts.

"The Guinness shortage is the perfect opportunity for consumers and pubs to seek out and support our many independent breweries across the country and sample a new dark brew."