Guinness drinkers left feeling flat as pandemic hits widget supply
SUPPLIES of the famous widget in cans of Guinness are running dry, meaning a different drinking experience for fans of the black stuff during lockdown.
Guinness has encountered an issue in the supply of the floating widgets, which help in forming the distinctive head on the stout when it’s being poured.
Now 24-can slabs of Guinness will temporarily have a fixed widget in a smaller can of 470ml as opposed to the usual 500ml.
Diageo expects to have widgets back early next year.
“The Covid-19 situation has created many challenges for all types of businesses and the brewery is no different,” said a spokesperson.
“Thankfully, our brewing operations have held up very well, but we have encountered a supply issue with our floating widgets for Guinness Draught in a can.
“As a temporary measure, we reverted to a fixed widget system in some of our can formats until production of the floating widget returns.”
Floating widgets in 500ml cans are still available in eight-can packs.
The spokesperson said the Guinness will taste the same.
“This temporary change was made simply to ensure the supply of Guinness Draught in a can – it contains exactly the same Guinness, just in a different can format. Pricing remains at the discretion of the retailer.”
A segment on RTÉ’s Liveline heard from loyal Guinness drinkers who discovered the floating widget had disappeared from their 24-can slabs.
“Saturday night is steak night in our house,” said one caller, Sean. “Poured it, no widget, no sound, no head, looked flat, tasted awful, I assumed it was a dud.”
Another caller said: “Had I known there was no widget in it, no matter what price it was, I wouldn’t have bought it.