Keg shortage

[simon12]

All the small breweries are having problems because theres a shortage of kegstar kegs, this isn't a huge surprise to me as they are terrible at collecting them, most are using some kind of plastic disposable kegs instead. Then I got an email from a distributer saying about how Heineken are struggling with a keg shortage and biera moreti is now being supplied in 100l kegs as its all they have. I don't understand why no one seems to be able to collect there empties, as far as I can tell pubs are mainly reopened and grants have kept them afloat at least for now. Does any one know whats going on?

 

[marshbrewer]

There are still about 25% of pubs closed according to the last figures I saw, due to being unable to trade economically with social distancing in place. They will have a significant amount of kegs in their cellars. I doubt you can take that many units out of circulation without consequences.

 

[cushyno]

My simplistic logic surmises if there are 25% of pubs closed, that'll be 25% fewer kegs needing to be filled and transported, so where's the problem? It must be that breweries aren't collecting empty kegs from places they're still delivering to.

 

[simon12]

I just re read the Heineken message and it mentions a shortage of drivers as well as kegs, after a quick google it looks like there could be a shortage of all sorts due to this. Here's just 1 example Brexit: Lorry driver shortage could mean higher prices in shops

 

[stuarts]

Having been in the Pub Trade many years ago we always ended up with spare empty kegs the Delivery Drivers never took away as many as they brought .

 

[Justin Dean]

I just re read the Heineken message and it mentions a shortage of drivers as well as kegs, after a quick google it looks like there could be a shortage of all sorts due to this. Here's just 1 example Brexit: Lorry driver shortage could mean higher prices in shops

Covid example.

 

[UKSkydiver]

There have been about 40+ at the back of one of my locals for weeks, if not months. I have no idea why, whether they are not being collected for some reason. Multiply that up and that's a shxx load of kegs.