Local bars, wholesalers and other retailers of Banks DIH premier lager – Banks Beer – and its other two products – GT Beer and Guinness – are expected to be restocked over the weekend after the company’s brewery was repaired.
The brewery ceased production last week after experiencing a mechanical problem. This resulted in a countrywide shortage among most bars, retailers and wholesalers of Banks’ two lagers and stout.
Stabroek News visited several bars and retailers on the East Coast Demerara yesterday morning and was informed that the products were still out of stock. However, one retailer in Strathspey, who said that he has been out of stock for two weeks, related that he was told by a company representative that the brewery was back in operation and that he should expect to be restocked by the end of the day.
The company’s Marketing Manager, Carlton Joao, who did not respond to calls by this newspaper, posted on his Facebook page that the brewery is back in operation and that Banks Beer is currently being produced.
On Thursday, Joao had told Stabroek News that the issue would be rectified “very soon” but was unable to give a definitive date.
Stabroek News had reported that one of the factory’s main bearings had experienced an issue early last week and the part had to be sourced from Germany.
Despite many outlets being completely out of stock of the company’s products, no official statement or communication was released from Banks DIH.
However, sources related that given that the factory resumed operation early yesterday, outlets should be restocked over the weekend.
On Wednesday, Stabroek News had checked other bars and local retailers across Georgetown and nearly all of them had reported that they were either out of stock or had very little left in their reserve.
However, certain spots that had the products, jacked up their prices and Banks Beer was being sold for $400 per bottle, as compared to its normal retail price of $260 per bottle.
