Guinness could possibly be below menace from English stout as demand surges throughout Six Nations 

Drink industry experts say Guinness’ position as Britain’s No1 could be under threat as English equivalents top taste tests

View 8 Images

Pubs could ditch the ‘G’ for English stout if Guinness supplies start to dry up during rugby’s Six Nations. Drink industry experts say Guinness’ position as Britain’s most supped stout could be under threat after English-brewed equivalents topped taste tests.

According to rate-my-beer app Untappd drinkers are up for a switch – particularly if supplies of the Irish brew dwindle again.

Analysis of the top 26 highest-rated Irish dry stouts showed English ales now dominate a style long associated with Guinness – accounting for 23. Only one beer in the list is brewed in Northern Ireland and one in Scotland.

The Kernel Brewery, based in Bermondsey, south-east London, is responsible for 17 of the top 26.

Rather than pushing higher alcohol or novelty flavours the data shows most of the best-rated stouts sit between 4.4% and 4.9% alcohol-by-volume – closely mirroring the traditional Guinness profile.

The findings suggest if pubs are forced to pour alternatives during the Six Nations drinkers may prioritise smoothness, balance, and quality of serve over brand loyalty – especially for a style where small differences in dispensing can dramatically affect taste.

And that leaves Guinness vulnerable to an England invasion.

A spokesman for Transam Extrusions, which supplies piping for the drink industry, said: “As pubs brace for Guinness shortages during the Six Nations data shows drinkers are already embracing alternative stouts and British brewers are leading the charge.

“With pub landlords warning that Guinness supplies could run dry during the Six Nations, many venues are already preparing to stock alternative stouts as demand surges during the tournament.

“New Untappd ratings data suggests drinkers may be more open to switching than expected..”

The company’s owner and pipe expert Russell Brazier said: “Guinness has a huge cultural presence especially around events like the Six Nations. But the data suggests its dominance is often overstated.

“When you look at the highest-rated Irish dry stouts most aren’t brewed in Ireland at all, which shows drinkers are far more flexible than people assume. For this style a smooth, well-served pint matters more than the name on the tap.

“If pubs pour quality alternatives properly most drinkers are perfectly happy to switch.”

According to the survey the top tasting ale in the Guinness category was Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged Stout from the Hinch Distillery in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

But the next eight all come out of The Kernel Brewery. No10 is Morrisman from Elusive Brewing based in Wokingham, Berks.

Guinness supply woes first emerged in the run-up to Christmas 2024 driven by a trend among Generation Z pub-goers wanting to pose with a pint in hand on social media.

The sudden surge in demand appeared to catch brewers by surprise and left landlords battling for stocks. Many pubs started rationing vastly reduced supplies while some ran out altogether.

Supermarkets struggled to keep it on the shelves as customers started stockpiling cans. Maker Diageo, which brews Guinness at its St James’s Gate brewery in Dublin, sent for back-up reserves from Ireland.

The crisis was not helped by the theft of a truck carrying 400 kegs – 35,000 pints – from a depot near Daventry, Northants. As the Guinness shortage hit Heineken – which brews stout rival Murphy’s – ramped up production to fill the void.

The alternative ale – cheekily branded “It’s Not Black And White” – jumped from being on draft in 200 pubs to 500 as young drinkers turned to it in huge numbers.Around 100 more pubs started serving Murphy’s over Christmas 2024 alone prompting a 632% sales jump.

Murphy’s bosses delivered kegs to boozers in time for Christmas Eve in vans bearing the slogan: “Good things come to those who are waiting…”

Will Rice, on-trade sales director at Heineken UK, said: “Obviously at a time when people are struggling people are going to ask if we can help and obviously we are more than happy to oblige.’’

Last month Diageo announced it was putting up the price of draught Guinness by 5.2% following a 4.2% hike last year.

Mark Edgell, managing director of the Dog & Partridge in Yateley, Hants, where the cost of a ‘G’ has gone up from £5.50-a-pint to £6.50 in three years, said: “Diageo seem hell bent on having the first £10 pint of beer.

“Pubs are being forced to add huge increases to the price of a pint beyond what the public will find acceptable.

“With rising energy costs, two recent rounds of national minimum and living wage increases, rises in National Insurance contributions and lowering of NI thresholds, beer duty increases and high VAT rates, along with a recent business rates valuation increase of 74% here at the Dog & Partridge, this price hike from Diageo is just another slap in the face.

“I enjoy a Guinness myself. It’s my beer of choice.

“But I will be exercising my choice to drink something else and I’m sure others will too.

“It is sad to see them penalise the consumers of their flagship product – the very product that has given them great sales growth from a growing and loyal following.”

Diageo said the company had kept price rises to a minimum. The increase would allow it to keep investing in its brands and supporting its hospitality customers.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.