Guinness raids Irish reserves to ease shortages in Britain

Security stocks being used to ease pressure on publicans in Britain who have struggled to keep up with demand

Some landlords have reportedly been using ration cards to ensure every customer gets a fair share of the stout.Picture: Benjamin Cremel/AFP via Getty Images

Guinness is raiding its reserves in Ireland to boost shipments to Britain, where a social media-fuelled surge in demand has left some pubs facing shortages.

The reserves — known as security stocks — are usually earmarked for Irish customers but are now being used to ease pressure on publicans in Britain who have struggled to keep up with new fans after a marketing push in recent years.