Companies

’Bitter, not better’ – pubs shun Heineken’s Island’s Edge

The company’s stout, Island’s Edge, which it hoped would compete with Guinness, is being taken out of pubs because of customers’ lack of interest

Paula Conlon, marketing manager, Island’s Edge, and Wojciech Bogusz, marketing director, Heineken, at the launch of the stout two years ago. PIcture: Conor McCabe

Island’s Edge, the stout launched by Heineken two years ago, has been delisted by many pubs across the country amid low sales, and has proven less popular with Irish drinkers than Guinness’s new alcohol-free brand.

Five industry sources have told the Business Post that pubs are choosing not to stock the stout, which has been the subject of an expensive marketing campaign by Heineken in an attempt to develop a competitor to Guinness.

Several said ...