Pub and brewing industry shows support for Ukraine

Businesses in the brewing and pub industry are responding to the ongoing Ukraine crisis with donations, fundraising appeals and offers of employment and accommodation, the BBPA has said.  

The organisation cited a Hall and Woodhouse fundraiser as one such example, with the fundraiser set to be held today (21 March) to support the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis appeal, with the group pledging to donate 50% of all sales throughout the day to the British Red Cross.  

Other BBPA member efforts include: 

• Brewhouse and Kitchen donating all revenue from a new seasonal cask beer sold across the weekend (19/20 March) to relief efforts 
• Brewdog selling a new beer United for Ukraine with all revenue to the Disaster Emergency Committee 
• Carlsberg donating €10m (£8.4m) to various humanitarian relief organisations
• Diageo donating £2m to the Red Cross and CARE International  
• Heineken donating €1m (£840k) to local NGOs whilst Heineken UK have pledged an additional £50,000 to provide help to more Ukrainian refugees and will match-fund any donations made by their UK colleagues 
• McMullens are donating £1 for every £10 raised in their pubs with an additional top up of £1 for every £10 where the fundraising is for the HALO Trust, a landmine clearance charity based in Ukraine  

In addition, Arkells, Batemans, Fullers, Greene King, Hogsback, Hydes and Wadworth are also looking into providing homes and employment for Ukrainian refugees, with some considering using recently closed premises as potential accommodation.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The atrocities sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are front of mind for everyone in the sector and we are eager to support in whatever way we can. Our members are finding numerous different ways to help and it is incredibly heartening to see their efforts.  

“We are also closely monitoring the impact of supply chain disruption on brewers and pubs, which to date has been limited, but in some cases we are already seeing existing supply chain pressures such as energy and fuel pricing being exacerbated and will continue to work alongside our members and the Government to assess the impact.”