BEHIND-the-scenes photos show how the production of Guinness supplies has been ramped up — in advance of Cheltenham, the Six Nations and Paddy’s Day.
Our exclusive images capture the Guinness barrels depot on Dublin’s Naas Road operating at full tilt.
Insiders last night told The Irish Sun how there has been “significant upscale” in production of the Black Stuff in Ireland — following shortage concerns in the UK.
We understand kegs returned from there are stored at the Naas Road site in Newlands Cross, ready to be replenished at St James’s Gate and exported back to the UK amid a major increase in production.
Other photographs show a hive of production activity inside the St James’s Gate brewery in Dublin 8.
Brewers Diageo moved to boost stocks after being forced to restrict UK supply of the stout amid huge demand at pubs over there.
Worried bars near Cheltenham racecourse spoke out in The Irish Sun last month to highlight how they were struggling with shortages and warned of “a disaster” scenario of running out of Guinness during festival week.
But thirsty racegoers have been assured kegs are back in the black ahead of next week’s racing festival — with plans in place to avoid any further shortages as we move towards the summer.
A Diageo spokesperson told The Irish Sun last night: “While demand for Guinness continues to grow, we have made progress in replenishing stock levels in the UK so supply has returned to more normal levels.
“We’ll continue to manage supply responsibly so consumers can look forward to enjoying high-quality pints throughout both the spring and the summer.”
It is understood Diageo will remain in “constant” contact with bars to avoid further supply issues.
Our pics show a dramatic uptick in activity at the Guinness barrels depot on Dublin’s Naas Road.
Locals told us the Naas Road site had been “relatively empty” for the past nine months — before a boom in supplies for the UK market in recent weeks.
And Diageo insiders lifted the lid on the role of the facility in the distribution process.
The source explained: “The site on the Naas Road is used as a processing facility for Guinness kegs. The kegs for the UK are produced in Ireland at St James’s Gate.
“Empty kegs from the UK can be processed at Diageo’s depot at Newlands Cross, prior to being filled at St James’s Gate and then sent back over. The Newlands Cross site is an important facility in the distribution process.”
A staggering 300,000 fans are expected to flock to Cheltenham for Gold Cup week.
Anxious pub bosses in Cheltenham had been sweating over stocks of the so-called “black gold” in the run-up to the festival.
‘WE HAVE ALL THE GUINESS WE NEED’
One boozer beside the famous track, which usually sells up to 50 kegs on race week, told us how they have been making do with just one.
However, relieved boozers near Prestbury Park last night confirmed they have received their Guinness stocks for the pinnacle of the jumps racing season.
Manoj Parkale, manager of the King’s Arms in Prestbury, told us: “We are good to go for Cheltenham. We had been facing a shortage, like many pubs.
“But we now have all the Guinness we need. We can’t wait to welcome customers for the festival.”
Diageo had vowed to ramp up production of Guinness after demand in the UK outstripped even the busiest St Patrick’s Day period.
The parent firm of the black stuff said it was “working around the clock” to increase supplies of the stout after a “sell-out” festive period led to shortages at pubs in the UK.
Diageo revealed Guinness sales have seen “extraordinary” growth in recent months.
Debra Crew, chief executive of the drinks giant, told how sales of Guinness in October and November were stronger than it typically sees around St Patrick’s Day, as the drink’s popularity continues to soar.
With pubs being rationed and some running out completely, fears grew that Cheltenham might be impacted this year.
Key stakeholders, such as the Guinness Village at Cheltenham, had been ring-fenced by suppliers to ensure enough is available.
But nearby bars were worried Guinness taps could run dry.
The Royal Oak, the closest pub to Cheltenham racecourse, had been facing a single keg ration and even threatened to jump ship to rival stout Murphy’s amid the crisis.
ALL SYSTEMS GO
But Matt Beeson, manager of the Prestbury pub, told The Irish Sun last night they were back on track.
He declared: “We’ve got all the Guinness we need for race week.
“The supply issue is all resolved. Thankfully, it has been sorted in time for the Cheltenham festival.
“I usually go through 45 to 50 kegs during race week. I had been very concerned about supplies but we’ve got all our stocks for the festival.
“It is all systems go.”
Tom Bird, of independent Tailors bar in the heart of Cheltenham, added: “The place will be packed and we’re delighted to have our Guinness stocks secured.”
