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Hopes that pubs could reopen by the end of the month as breweries deliver 250 million pints for June 15
BREWERIES are aiming to produce 250million pints for Britain’s pubs in the next two weeks — as hopes soar that they could fully re-open by the end of the month.
The Sun can reveal firms behind our favourite bevvies have promised landlords their first kegs of post-lockdown beer will be delivered from June 15.
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But drinkers will have to place their orders remotely via an app under the new Government plan for bars to start serving again within weeks.
A secret blueprint to unshutter the nation’s boozers has been drawn up by ministers in the Department for Business, and shared with The Sun.
Guidelines previously issued by the Government say pubs could bounce back from the pandemic from July 4 “at the earliest”.
But Boris Johnson hinted last week it could happen sooner.
Brewing giants such as Heineken stopped making kegs of lager during lockdown because of plummeting demand.
They focused on producing bottles and cans instead.
But they are getting their keg cylinders up and running again.
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The firm has breweries in Edinburgh, Manchester and Tadcaster, North Yorks. They produce four million pints of beer a day.
Pubs are also awaiting deliveries around the same date from Asahi, the firm behind Peroni and Grolsch.
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And Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Stella Artois and Budweiser, has told pub bosses that their kegs will not be far behind.
Many pubs have had to dump entire cellars of stock because it went out of date.
With some allowed to partially reopen last week using outdoor market-style stalls, many landlords have been caught short with few or no pints to sell.
Andy Kempa, boss of Beach Green pub in Lancing, West Sussex, said: “The barrels we had in stock over lockdown are now run down to near empty or had already gone off.
“I’m screaming out for supply, especially in the hot weather. People are absolutely gagging for a drink and it’s left me desperate.”
Greg Grundy, landlord of The Egremont in nearby Worthing, said customers could not wait to get a pint of draught.
He added: “It’ll be a scramble for stock. There’s an unquenchable thirst for pub beer out there.
"Punters are fed up with bottles and cans they’ve been sinking through the lockdown. Now they want a proper draught pint.
“My last supplies of draught were selling like cat-nip this weekend but I’m anxiously waiting for the next batch because we’re running low.
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“Heineken has said the first lot will be out for delivery on June 15. Let’s hope we can swing the doors open properly for good then.”
In another boost for pub owners, Heineken told The Sun tonight it will replace unopened out-of-date kegs for free.
The app orders plan will also allow many restaurants to reopen.
There’s an unquenchable thirst for pub beer out there.
Greg Grundy
It is based on the system already used by pub chain JD Wetherspoon — allowing anyone with a smart phone to order food and drink to their table.
Tables will also be placed two metres apart to observe social distancing rule.
It has been decided there is no need for screens between tables, as some European countries have insisted on.
But they will be put up at bars to protect staff when customers settle their bills.
Tight limits on numbers will also be enforced, dictated by how many seats are safely available for drinkers in the pubs.
Many had pushed for distancing to be decreased to one metre, in line with some EU countries, to allow more customers.
Every pub must also have good ventilation in place.
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Senior government sources tonight suggested pubs are likely to reopen in two stages.
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Those with outdoor beer gardens where Covid-19 transmission is far less likely will probably be given the green light first, followed by indoor areas once new methods are shown to work.
Although sales in supermarkets and stores are up, it does not make up for the amount drinkers would normally buy in pubs.
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Pubs with beer gardens are likely to be first to reopen, minister says
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