30 May 2021
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
8.5 million pints are being brewed in the landmark HEINEKEN Cork brewery as re-opening countdown is on. HEINEKEN is naturally interested in selling its own products, and in order to do so it will be promoting the pub industry in general
Positive PR from HEINEKEN Ireland. For historical reasons, the brand has its Ireland HQ in Cork, in what was previously known as Murphy’s Brewery. Murphy’s was subsumed into the brewing giant as part of many acquisitions over the years.
Ahead of almost 3,500 pubs and bars re-opening around the country on Monday 7th June, HEINEKEN Ireland is deploying its very own green army to support the re-opening of the hospitality sector with a comprehensive €10 million ‘Fresh Beginnings’ support programme. This will see every HEINEKEN Ireland employee receive a staff stimulus fund to spend in pubs and bars across the country supporting footfall and cashflow for publicans and a ‘welcome back’ fund for hospitality staff going the extra mile to welcome consumers back to pubs and bars.
The HEINEKEN Ireland ‘Fresh Beginnings’ €10m stimulus programme is the largest in the brewer’s 165-year history and aims to recognise the passion of people right across the sector that will power the much-anticipated hospitality re-opening after the longest lockdown in Europe. It will support a safe re-opening and fast recovery for pubs and bars through a range of bespoke measures and builds on the significant support HEINEKEN has provided to its 7,000 hospitality customers since the start of the pandemic last year, now totalling €19m.
The targeted supports included in the new HEINEKEN ‘Fresh Beginnings’ €10 million programme include:
- €275,000 HEINEKEN staff stimulus spend and ‘thank you’ fund for bar staff across the country: To stimulate footfall and cashflow in pubs, HEINEKEN is deploying its own green army of ambassadors into pubs and bars by providing every employee with €250 to spend in venues all over Ireland to treat fellow customers, friends or family to a round. HEINEKEN sales representatives will also deploy a ‘welcome back’ fund of gift vouchers to bar staff to acknowledge those going the extra mile to deliver a positive experience for returning consumers.
- €3 million investment supporting pubs that are enhancing their outdoor areas: outdoor service is a key feature of the re-opening phase on 7th June.
- €2.5 million high profile advertising campaign: Building excitement around the countdown to re-opening, HEINEKEN will also launch high profile advertising campaigns across the summer worth €2.5 million to remind consumers just how unique and enjoyable the pub experience will be.
- To support the re-opening, HEINEKEN Ireland will also provide strategic financial relief to its publican customers through keg replenishment to the value of €4.2m.
Reflecting its passion for quality, HEINEKEN Ireland is also deploying an unprecedented brewing and supply chain roll out for the re-opening involving every member of its team:
- The brewery team in the heart of Cork City have ramped up production, brewing over 8.5 million pints in May and June;
- With production running at 72,000 pints per hour, 60 trucks will leave the brewery each week now to fulfil publican orders;
- The dedicated in-house HEINEKEN quality team are refreshing dispensing lines in pubs all over Ireland, visiting 1,500 pubs per week, to ensure a top-quality fresh pint awaits in every local;
- The trade team have been partnering with pubs to revamp and maximise outdoor spaces and beer gardens so that consumers can enjoy a safe and sociable pint this summer.
Sharon Walsh, Commercial Director of HEINEKEN Ireland, says that after the longest lockdown in Europe, we are all ready to emerge from the pandemic for a fresh beginning:
“People will be at the heart of this re-opening which we hope marks our last lockdown. Every HEINEKEN Ireland employee stands in solidarity with our sector colleagues as we unveil our ‘Fresh Beginnings’ €10m stimulus package, bringing our total investment to €19m. We have never been more aware that behind every closed door over the past 400 days are people and families. That’s why every member of our HEINEKEN Ireland family is pulling together to be personally involved in contributing to a fresh beginning for the sector after a truly unprecedented 18 months.”
“Fresh Beginning’s is designed to help stimulate an industry-wide recovery over the crucial weeks and months ahead by getting footfall through the door, cash flowing for publicans and having 8.5 million fresh pints at the ready for consumers to enjoy in revamped beer gardens and locals across the country. During the lockdowns we have listened to our customers to pinpoint exactly where help was needed and to show up in the most supportive way we can. As consumers settle down to a fresh pint this June to re-connect and reminisce with friends, we hope that with each sip they toast to the hope of a brighter future.”
Coinciding with the announcement, last week also saw the first deliveries of fresh kegs from the iconic HEINEKEN brewery in the heart of Cork to pubs across Ireland. Irish rugby star Conor Murray, lined out with the HEINEKEN team today for these special deliveries:
“Some of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in have been in the Champions Cup and there’s no question the last 15 months have been hugely challenging for people across Ireland, and in particular publicans who have endured so much. Now is the time to toast a return to some better days and I’m certainly looking forward to a well-earned pint of Heineken® on my break later this summer.”
Picture shows from left rugby star Conor Murray who lined out with the HEINEKEN Ireland team to help with preparations with Tony Campion, owner, The Silver Key, Ballinlough,in Cork.Pic:Naoise Culhane
Picture shows rugby star Conor Murray (left) who lined out with the HEINEKEN Ireland team, Aisling O’Brien (right), On Trade Channel Manager, HEINEKEN Ireland, to help with preparations at the HEINEKEN Brewery in Cork.Pic: Naoise Culhane
Picture shows rugby star Conor Murray who lined out with members of the HEINEKEN Ireland brewery team to help with preparations at the HEINEKEN Brewery in Cork.Pic:Naoise Culhane
Picture shows rugby star Conor Murray (right) who lined out with the HEINEKEN Ireland team, Aisling O’Brien (left), On Trade Channel Manager, HEINEKEN Ireland, to help with preparations at the HEINEKEN Brewery in Cork.P ic:Naoise Culhane
Picture shows rugby star Conor Murray who lined out with members of the HEINEKEN Ireland brewery team to help with preparations at the HEINEKEN Brewery in Cork. Pic:Naoise Culhane
