TINNIES TAKE A COVID HIT

AUSTRALIAN drinkers are facing a beer shortage after Carlton & United Breweries suspended a key part of its operations because of a Covid outbreak.

Ten workers tested positive to the virus at the beer giant’s Abbotsford brewery in Victoria, triggering a shutdown of its cans production line until October 24.

The closure is set to affect stock of popular VB, Carlton Draught and Great Northern cans. A CUB spokesman said the Covid outbreak would not affect the production of stubbies and kegs.

The spokesman said CUB would attempt to ramp up its operations in other locations, including its Yatala brewery in Queensland, in a bid to resolve supply issues before the Melbourne Cup long weekend next month. “We are working hard to ensure out of stocks are rectified before the Melbourne Cup.”