Host upset at Punch stance on Guinness

A Punch lessee has questioned why the pubco won't let him use a device to serve draught-quality Guinness in a glass from a can.

Michael White said he was told he can't use Guinness Surger until it has been trialed at other Punch pubs in northern England.

Surger is aimed primarily at venues that sell less than half a keg a week. Guinness owner Diageo said more than 5,000 on-trade outlets currently stock the device.

It sees bar staff pouring a special can of Guinness, which does not include a widget, into a pint glass. The glass is put on an electronic plate that releases soundwaves into the liquid and creates a creamy head.

White, of the Ruperra Arms in Newport, Gwent, said: "At the moment I'm wasting Guinness because it's going past it's best before date. I don't want to remove Guinness from my bar because it's a quality brand.

"Diageo has a unit set aside for me but I can't put it in until it's signed off from Punch.

"Punch said it's got to do a trial run in a few pubs in the north first. I don't understand why it needs to do a trial when Guinness have put their name to it.

He added: "I signed a lease to get beer from Punch and that's all. I don't want them to tell me how to run my pub."

A Punch spokeswoman said: "Punch currently doesn't offer Guinness Surger but are considering the opportunity. Our business relationship manager advised our partner at the Ruperra Arms in Newport that unfortunately it is not currently available.

They also agreed to temporarily take off Guinness due to wastage and discussed alternative products."