GET STOUT OF MY PUB
»»Landlord pulls Diageo taps in price rise protest »»But keeps Guinness €5 pints for OAP locals
A BELOVED Dublin pub has vowed to take a stand against Diageo’s latest price increase by removing the taps to some of their drinks.
However, it has pledged to protect locals against soaring Guinness costs by keeping its pints at €5 with a cash discount scheme.
The owner of Kavanagh’s pub on New Street in the heart of the Liberties, has taken to social media to air his frustration at the costs.
Guinness manufacturer Diageo has hiked the price of its kegs for the third time in 18 months this week.
The increase comes in at 0.06c per pint or €5.28 per keg.
Despite energy costs and inflation decreasing, Diageo blamed rising input costs across all its operations in Ireland for the hike.
The international drinks giant previously increased the price of a pint by 12 cent in February last year and then by a further four cent last July, causing anger among publicans.
The company owns a range of brands, including nine sold as draught, such as Heineken, Moretti, Orchard Thieves, Lagunitas, Beamish, Murphys, Tiger, Coors, Fosters and Island’s edge.
Landlord Graham posted online: “To say we are disappointed with yet another increase, (the 3rd in 18months) would be an understatement.
“We are a small locals local run by a liberty boy born and bred who understands the needs of our customers.
“The last increases were down to operating costs and the huge rise in energy costs, those although unwelcome were understandable.
“However, since then the industry has had three reductions in energy costs which for a company like Guinness would result in millions of euro in savings per annum.
“Alone we won’t make a dent on their profits but collectively we could. I’ll be starting by pulling some of their taps out by way of Rockshore and Hophouse.
“We are not like the price gougers in certain areas of the city, we always try look after our locals that’s why yet again we will absorb this third increase in 18 months on Guinness with our discount scheme for customers paying with cash and leave it at €5.
“Good portion of our customers are senior citizens who never moved to the modern card and tap era so for them they can still come in with €20 cash and have four pints. This is just for Guinness, for all other products unfortunately we will have to pass on the increase after our next delivery.”
The post on the pub’s Facebook page has garnered hundreds of likes and dozens of comments, with many showing support for the announcement.
One person said: “Well done for what you are doing for your locals.”
Another added: “I hope your pub continues to prosper as a result of this kind gesture.”
A third wrote: “Fair play, as you said the older gent coming in each day not only for a pint but a bit of company to keeping their pint at €5 cash.”
Diageo blamed rising input costs across all its operations in Ireland despite energy costs and inflation decreasing in recent months.
The company said to pubs: “In order to offset this, we must pass on some of this additional costs to our customers.
“As a result we are adjusting the list prices on our draught product range.
“This includes Guinness which will increase by the equivalent of 0.06 per pint or €5.28 per 50 litre keg.
“Please be reminded that the retail pricing is at your discretion and you remain free at all times to set the price of our products. We remain committed to supporting your business and the wider hospitality sector and value your continued support.”