Pub doles out ‘ration playing cards’ for Guinness amid warnings of nationwide scarcity this Christmas – and points Blitz spirit-style rallying name
A pub has issued customers with ration cards for Guinness due to a nationwide shortage of the Irish stout.
Drinkers visiting The Old Ivy House in Clerkenwell, central London, must now buy two other drinks before they are entitled to a pint of the black stuff.
The special cards are signed and stamped by staff to prove punters are entitled to purchase ‘one ration of Guinness’.
Co-owner Del Currie said the hostelry usually got through around eight barrels per week but received just three kegs this week.
He told the pub trade newspaper The Morning Advertiser: ‘Instead of freaking out and saying, “There’s going to be no Guinness for Christmas“, we thought we’d have a bit of fun with it.
‘We started doing it last night and it ended up being quite fun – people really enjoyed it.’
Mr Currie said the watering hole would continue with the ration cards ‘while stocks last’.
He added: ‘Last night was a very busy night at the pub, so we’re really low now.
A picture of a Guinness ration card introduced at The Old Ivy House in Clerkenwell, central London, requiring patrons to buy at least two other drinks before being able to buy a pint of the Irish stout
The Old Ivy House said it had introduced the measure after receiving just three kegs of the black stuff this week instead of the eight it would usually get through
‘We’re down to about two kegs, so tonight is going to be all about the ration cards. I’d say we’ll probably run out by 10pm.’
In a Blitz-style rallying call on Instagram, the pub announced: ‘Ladies and gentlemen we are being rationed.
‘The #blackgold is in short supply countrywide. It’s true.
‘We are down to 3 barrels with our next delivery not due until next Wednesday – at the busiest time of the year!!
‘Ask at the bar for your ration card. We’ll get through this together.’
A member of staff at The Old Ivy House told MailOnline that customers had understood the need for the limit, which is only being applied at times of shortage and with a ‘festive spin’.
She said: ‘Our guests understood was it was all about. Nobody took it to heart.
‘We weren’t super strict about it so if a group bought two drinks we would let them have a Guinness.’
The bartender added that they brought in the measure when the bar was down to just two kegs of the popular Irish brew this week.
Guinness makers Diageo have been forced to restrict the supply of the Dublin-brewed stout following ‘exceptional consumer demand’ at UK pubs.
Pubs have braced for a shortage of Guinness over Christmas, with the company forced to limit the supply of the stout due to ‘exceptional consumer demand’
The company said: ‘We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.’
Guinness has become fashionable among celebrities and Gen Z – who are often seen trying to ‘split the G’.
The craze has been helped on by influencers like Kim Kardashian, who made headlines after enjoying a pint of Guinness and a shot of baby Guinness in a pub in London in March 2023.
Sales of the black stuff have surged by 24 per cent among young women.
The brand now offers more than 20 beers, as well as operating bars, breweries, and restaurants and also sells non-alcoholic beverages.
