UK: Pub chain JD Wetherspoon signs 20-year on-tap deal with Budweiser

UK pub chain JD Wetherspoon has signed a new 20-year supply deal with AB InBev's Budweiser, marking the end of a four decade-long arrangement between the pubco and brewing giant Heineken, the Yahoo News UK reported on November 29.

The deal will see Budweiser become the Wetherspoons' largest supplier from December 15. (The pubco also recently agreed new deals with BrewDog, Carlsberg Marrston's and Molson Coors).

Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona and Leffe Blonde will from then "feature prominently" on draught in the chain's 860 pubs, while Heineken's Strongbow will be replaced by Weston's Stowford Press Apple.

A Wetherspoons spokesperson told the Standard Heineken will stop supplying Wetherspoons with draught beers, but is in discussions over supplying bottled beers.

Budweiser's president, Paula Lindenberg, said the move "provides a fantastic opportunity to invest at scale in the UK’s vibrant hospitality sector".

A Heineken spokesperson said: “We confirm that we have decided not to renew the lead brewer contract with JD Wetherspoon and subsequently a number of our brands will not be supplied on draught as of mid-December.

“Customers will still be able to enjoy HEINEKEN brands at a Wetherspoon pub, as we will continue to provide a number of brands as packaged products.”

Wetherspoons crashed to a £155 million loss in the year to July after Covid hit. The company has only made a loss in three out of its 37 years – 1984, 2020 and 2021.