Bye-bye booze: Beer set to disappear from shelves, warn trade association

The Irish Association for Beer, Wine, and Spirits (IABWS) has asked the government to take immediate action after it was revealed that Irish beer production will come to an abrupt halt in 2023.

This is due to grain shortages that have just begun to impact food and beverage producers across Europe. With chicken fillet rolls and toasties set to be removed from menus in the coming months, beer is next up, says a spokesperson for the IABWS.

“We are extremely concerned about the future of Irish beer and whiskey. The livelihoods of our suppliers, producers, and retailers are on the line here. We will not stand idly by and watch our country be reduced to a sober shell of its former self.”

The IABWS estimate that the average price of a pint could increase ‘threefold’ over the next 12 months. They’re urging the government to introduce heavy subsidies and provide the food and drink industry with emergency financial support.

In a recent Liveline interview, the group spokesperson said: “Every Irish person deserves unlimited access to reasonably-priced alcoholic beverages. The government has a responsibility to ensure that no man or woman is forced to spend a single weekend sober."

The crisis could lead to panic buying and stockpiling, experts fear

He continued: “The reality is, we’re facing a Paddy’s Day next year where off-licences and pubs will be working with a limited supply of beer and whiskey. You might be looking at a system where you can only buy a couple of cans at a time, or be restricted in how many pints you can order at the bar. Imagine that, a Paddy’s Day where no one’s allowed get hammered. You might as well cancel the whole thing altogether.”

Meanwhile, news of grain shortages is already sparking civil unrest in other European countries, with protests set to take place in several Spanish resort towns next week. This comes after a government minister questioned ‘the point’ of towns like Magaluf and Benidorm if they were no longer able to cater for party-loving Irish and Brits.

Before the pandemic, Benidorm welcomed over 10 million Irish tourists every year

Speaking at a local event in Madrid on Tuesday, Spain’s Minister for Tourism, Miguel Borracho, went on to say:

“We must ask ourselves, what reason do foreigners have to visit these places if they cannot avail of cheap cocktails and €1 shots? None. And that is why the administration must act quickly to protect the interests of our alcohol producers and importers.”

Members of the IABWS and other trade associations are warning that demonstrations (like those in Spain) could unfold closer to home. In a statement for The Leinster Chronicle, Declan Cawley, Chairperson of the Irish Whiskey Confederation, said: 

"Empty shelves in supermarkets, off-licences, and pubs can only mean one thing: chaos. But in the lead up to these critical shortages, we’re anticipating a huge amount of pushback from the Irish public. This could be in the form of protests, riots, looting. Workforce disruptions are to be expected since everyone will be getting absolutely scuttered while they still can.”

Both trade associations say they hope that the government will heed their warnings before it’s too late.