The Newport keeps VB off tap, and locals are bitter about it
IT’S the iconic northern beaches pub that has reopened with a bang, but some locals are bitter about it: The Newport turned off the tap on one of Australia’s favourite beers — VB.
NSW
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IT’S the iconic northern beaches pub that has reopened with a bang after a multi-million dollar renovation — but some locals are decidedly bitter about it.
Why? Because The Newport’s new owner, hospitality giant Merivale, has turned off the tap on one of Australia’s favourite beers — VB.
Due to an exclusivity deal with rival brewing giant Lion, VB (made by Carlton & United) was taken off tap last year when Merivale boss Justin Hemmes bought the institution, formerly known as the Newport Arms. And it hasn’t been turned back on since.
Instead, punters attending the pub, which reopened on Good Friday, must drink Lion beers including Tooheys and Corona and craft offerings including the northern beaches brews 4 Pines and Modus Operandi. A spokeswoman said: “We believe our beer offering suits the venue perfectly.”
But the VB blackout has so incensed some of the hotel’s regulars that a petition has sprung up on change.org, with 182 people so far signing.
“I want to go to the arms but they don’t support VB,” reads the petition started by recent University of Technology graduate Jesse Williams, accompanied by a letter that reads: “Letter to Merivale: Start serving VB”.
An update, posted on Friday, reads: “We’re ... experiencing a phenomenal community response to this insane situation. We’re working on establishing a connection to the powers-that-be inside The Newport, but we can’t do it without your help.”
The petition has prompted heartfelt replies from VB enthusiasts, who claim to have been dudded by the VB lockout. “It isn’t Australian to not serve VB,” says petitioner William Rusby. And, from Matthew McCann: “Why should we NOT have VB at an Aussie pub?!” “Change the name back to The Newport Arms while you’re at it, rich guy,” writes Stephen Beukers.
Mr Williams, 21, said the petition started after his family, many of whom are from Victoria, visited the pub and were disappointed with the beer selection.
Northern beaches couple Ellen Jeffrey, 26, and David Byrne, 32, who were enjoying a beer at the Newport yesterday said drinkers should have the right to partake of a VB.
“I think they’ve done a good job up there, the finishings are en pointe with current trends, but yeah, you should be able to get a VB,” said Mr Byrne, who was drinking a Coopers Pale Ale.
The Merivale spokeswoman said the pub’s position on VB would not change.
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