Carlton & United Breweries is rolling out 2000 barrels of free beer to help pubs and clubs during COVID-19.
CUB's 'For the Love of Your Local' campaign involves Aussies visiting loveofyourlocal.com.au and nominating their favourite local, then buying a pint of CUB beer using their credit card or PayPal account, with the cash going to the venue directly.
When they redeem their beer voucher, CUB matches the purchase with a free beer, meaning people get two-for-one pints after their local re-opens.
The initiative has raised more than $1 million for struggling venues and the brewer has announced it will double the target to $2 million as restrictions continue to seriously impact the Australian hospitality industry.
The lockdown has devastated Australia’s $20 billion+ pub and club industry, which is made up of more than 10,000 venues and employs many of the nation’s one million hospitality workers.
Victorian hotelier Annie Hateley (pictured main), operator of Drums Hotel, said COVID-19 restrictions had reduced their operations to the off-premise bottle shop and take-away menu.
“With the bar and bistro being closed for nine weeks, our food and beverage revenue is down by about 90%," she said. "The support of Government and key suppliers such as CUB has been really important to our financial viability,.
“It’s been tough for the entire pub industry and it’s still a long road ahead for many operators. So, CUB raising $2 million for our industry is a real lifeline for many venues. “Pubs are the heart of many Australian communities. Patrons are supporting them through For Love of Your Local which speaks volumes for the appreciation patrons have for their local hotel.”
The investment will give Aussie venues badly-needed cash right now plus more than 100,000 litres - or 200,000 pints - of donated CUB beer to pour for their patrons after they re-open.
CUB CEO Peter Filipovic (above) said: “The ongoing restrictions will continue to significantly limit trade and, for some venues, re-opening will have to wait until restrictions are further lifted.
“Those that do re-open will have reduced numbers. Australian pubs and clubs have already been shut for two months and the fact is many of these beloved venues won’t make it through this crisis without extra help. So, we’re calling on Australians to help save their local and get free beer in the process.
“We’ve had 2000 pubs and clubs join already and, if you’re a venue that needs help, I’d urge you to sign-up too.”
A fleet of customised Carlton Draught (pictured above) and VB trucks – dubbed the Dig Deep Rigs – is also hitting the road this week to help quench the financial thirst of some Victorian and Sydney pubs, selling takeaway tap beer in glass bottles known as “Growlers” from pub car parks.
To find out where the Carlton Draught and VB Dig Deep Rigs will be pouring Growlers, visit loveofyourlocal.com.au
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