Brewers defend charge for hosts who choose small kegs

Brewers defended surcharges of up to 50p per container imposed on hosts who order small casks and kegs - a policy which is netting big firms thousands of pounds each year.

Carlsberg​ now asks customers for an extra 50p on every container below 18 gallons while Coors​ demands 31p on all 11-gallon vessels and below.

A number of independents also charge extra payments, with independent Moorhouse's​ asking customers to cough up £1.25 extra for anything less than 18 gallons.

Camra ​(Campaign For Real Ale) research and information manager Iain Loe said the charges could discourage hosts from stocking guest beers, the vast bulk of which are sold in nine-gallon firkins.

He added: "Cask ale is a product which demands freshness and is a slow seller in many pubs.​

"It makes sense for a licensee to buy in two nine-gallon casks rather than one large one.

"Many pub cellars are not equipped to store large containers but licensees should not be penalised for that,"

Society of Independent Brewers director Nick Stafford said licensees should not be pressured to go for bigger casks.

David Grant, managing director at Moorhouse's, said the surcharge was designed to encourage licensees to trade up to larger sizes and gives a £5 discount on 18-gallon orders.

Carlsberg said it had increased charges to 50p per container because it was four times more expensive to deliver a nine-gallon container than a 36-gallon cask or keg.

Coors said its 31p surcharge had been in place for the past 10 years and covered the extra cost of handling and delivering smaller containers.

Scottish Courage said it did not make a surcharge for small container deliveries.

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