One operator claimed their pub’s reputation was put at risk as a result of the poor-quality beer.
The licensee, who did not want to be named, told The Morning Advertiser (MA): “As a pub that is known locally for selling Theakston beers, the fact that I am losing customers because they aren’t able to supply the best bitter is a significant issue.”
Massive issue
The licensee added: “It’s a massive issue for pubs like mine and I’m sure many others are in the same situation."
They claimed the beer had been “cloudy and unsellable for the past six weeks or so” and said there had been no official explanation from the brewery as to the cause of the problem.
Technical issues
Executive director Simon Theakston told MA the brewer had recently experienced some issues with its production process.
He explained: “We have indeed experienced some intermittent technical issues with our cask products in recent weeks, as is the general nature of cask ale from time to time, particular the summer months, affecting all brewers and not just us.”
However, the problem had been resolved, with affected customers contacted through the brewer’s normal returns procedure, he added.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers and consumers.