Pubs and bars across the UK have begun running out of Guinness as demand for the alcoholic beverage continues to soar.

Diageo is an alcohol company in charge of big name brands including Baileys, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Guinness.

Earlier this month, Diageo put an "allocation limit” on the number of Guinness kegs pubs could receive in an aim to manage supply, The Times reported.

These restrictions come off the back of an "unprecedented rise" in sales (more than 20% in the past 12 months) as the popularity of the Irish stout continues to grow worldwide.

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UK pubs and bars running out of Guinness

Now pubs across the country have begun running out of Guinness as the hospitality industry enters it's "busiest time of the year" - Christmas.

Establishments in the likes of London, Liverpool and across Wales reported running out of the popular stout over the weekend, according to The Times.

The Old Ivy House, in Clerkenwell (London), ran out of Guinness on Friday (December 13) night despite rationing its supplies throughout the week.

Pub landlady, Katie Davidson, speaking to The Times said: “I normally make sure I have seven barrels per week and I would up that in the run-up to Christmas.

"But I was restricted to only four [by our brewery].

"So on Wednesday, when I got my order, we only had half a barrel left in the cellar at the busiest time of the year. And we’d run out by 10pm on Friday night.”

Meanwhile, Fiona Hornsby, who runs three pubs in Liverpool, said one ran out of Guinness on Sunday (December 15) and they were still in the dark as to when the issue will be resolved.

Speaking to The Times, she said: “Guinness has told us nothing, only that they hope to resolve the issue soon, which isn’t particularly helpful.

"We are free trade too but ringing around wholesalers they’ve none to spare either.

“It’s disappointing. Surely Guinness has seen the increase in sales this year and could have planned better?”

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Diageo, in a statement, said it is working with customers in an attempt to manage the effective distribution of Guinness.

The company said: "Over the past month we have seen exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in Great Britain.

"We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.”

Diageo have been contacted for further comment.