Dry July? Be careful what you wish for!

TERRIBLE news! Your local pub or favourite watering hole could have a problem sourcing beer on tap from Carlton and United Breweries over the next few days.

Locally, across Bass Coast and South Gippsland, venues say they have plenty of beer, for now, but with most venues needing regular deliveries, some have concerns about expected deliveries early next week.

Seven news was reporting on Friday night that as many as 300 venues around the state may be affected by an industrial dispute at Carlton and United Brewery impacting the delivery of barrel beer.

Package beer supplies, they say, will be unaffected.

CUB has “sincerely apologized” to their customers and consumers if they become embroiled in the delivery problem.

According to Seven News, the delays are being caused by forklift maintenance problems highlighted by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) at the company’s Abbotsford headquarters.

They say the CFMEU has legitimate concerns about safety standards at the factory and are not prepared to subject their workers to the risks until they are addressed.

“I’m aware of it but I’m pretty confident they’ll sort it out in a few days,” said John 'Hoots' McInnes at the Inlet Hotel in Inverloch.

“We have plenty of beer for now but we’re due to get a delivery on Monday, so that will tell the tale.”

Mr McInnes said the Inlet Hotel usually carries about a week’s supply of barrels so weekly deliveries are important. It’s the same at most venues.