Pubs slashing ale pint prices to less than £1

JDW is selling pints of real ale for 99p across its estate until pubs are forced to close this week (last day of trading to be Wednesday 4 November).

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “All our pubs in England will be serving their real ales at 99p a pint until the pubs close on Wednesday night.

“The reality is any real ales not sold between now and lockdown will have to be thrown away so it is better customers can enjoy it at a great price while the pubs remain open.

“Each and every one of our pubs have Covid safety measures in place and the numbers of people allowed in our pubs is restricted so the lower price for real ale will have no effect on the safety of customers and staff.”

Financial brunt

Stonegate Pub Company has launched a snap sale with cask ale pints for 95p across its managed portfolio until Wednesday.

Managing director Helen Charlesworth said: “Once again, the hospitality industry is being told to bear the financial brunt of further regulations in the Government’s response to Covid-19.

“Given the short notice, this 95p pint sale is to ensure minimal wastage of product across our estate. Cask ale only has a shelf life of a few days once it is tapped and spiled and in March, the British Beer & Pub Association estimated more than 70m pints of beer were poured down the drain."

Price drop

Charlesworth added: “We also would prefer our customers to enjoy the beer – responsibly of course – rather than pouring it away.

“Just like in March, our pubs will continue to be at the centre of their communities during this lockdown and we look forward to reopening as soon as possible and enjoying the Christmas festivities together.”

Similarly, the Red Lion in Barnes, south west London has also dropped the price of cask ale and Guinness, ahead of the enforced closure.

£2 a pint for all cask today (and guinness). Stop what you're doing, cancel your plans, leave the kids at school , down tools , forget about working and come down the pub ! pic.twitter.com/dr0sX2RxSH

— The Red Lion, Barnes (@RedLionBarnes) November 3, 2020