With NSW now in lockdown until the end of August both Lion and CUB have confirmed they are extending their keg return programs.
In July Lion said it would refund any kegs bought on 1 June or after and that have a best before date at the end of July. That has now been extended to kegs with a best before date of 31 August or earlier.
In a letter to customers, Lion Sales Director, Warwick Parks said: “To assist with the changing trading environment, Lion will collect unused kegs and offer customers a credit for kegs which meet all of the below eligibility criteria: Best before date of 31st August 2021 or earlier; Kegs must be full, untapped and with dust caps intact; Purchased direct from Lion from 1st June 2021 until 25th June.
“Credits will be processed and appear on the customer’s account within 24 hours. You will be contacted by Lion Connect to organise collection of your kegs shortly after lodging the claim. Any untapped kegs with a best before date from 1st September 2021 onwards should be placed in the cool room.”
CUB also confirmed it will also offer credits for kegs, with a spokesperson telling The Shout: “Asahi Beverages is pleased to be providing the opportunity for our customers in Greater Sydney to return full kegs, for a full credit, where those kegs dispatched on or after the 12 June and have a best before date before 31 August.”
When Lion announced its refund program in July, Managing Director James Brindley said: ““Beer is fresh and needs to be enjoyed within its short shelf life.
“Our thoughts are with everyone in the hospitality industry across Greater Sydney, and the most important thing we can do is stick together and support one another.
“We hope this initiative will go some way to easing some of the unimaginable burden that many pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants will currently be facing. It truly feels like Groundhog Day.
“We never wanted to be in this situation again, after having had to tip the equivalent of 11 million schooners last year. Once again there will be a large volume of beer in kegs that will sadly never get to see a schooner.”
Lion announced a similar scheme in March last year after the whole country was placed in lockdown, which resulted in more than $30m in keg refunds, as part of what was the largest reverse logistics exercise Lion had ever undertaken.