Australians can give their closed local pub a hit of cash by buying a beer they can drink when coronavirus restrictions are wound back.
Carlton & United Breweries and the Australian Hotels Association have launched a campaign allowing people to buy a pint of Carlton Draught at their favourite pub, with the cash to go straight to the venue.
They will also get a free pint, with both beers able to be drunk when the pub reopens.
Carlton & United Breweries says it will donate up to $1 million worth of kegs to venues to back the For the Love of Your Local campaign and could stump up more cash if required.
Company chief executive Peter Filipovic said the campaign is aimed at helping pubs survive by giving them some cash flow.
More than 10,000 venues have been forced to shut their doors to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and Mr Filipovic said if some of them don't get some cash flow, they might not open again.
"It is an unprecedented challenge, not even during the world wars or the depression did the pubs close," Mr Filipovic said.
Australian Hotels Association Victoria President David Canny said the project was a "lifeline" for the struggling industry.
That sentiment rings true for the Village Belle Hotel's Steven Shannon.
The venue normally employs between 70 and 80 staff but has had to stand them all down until the pandemic passes.
"We know closing is the right thing to do but it is very tough. To get an injection of funds like this now will help us bounce back when the ban is lifted," he said.
Venues can sign up for the campaign, and people can choose to support them at https://loveofyourlocal.com.au.
The beers are purchased through PayPal, allowing the cash to go straight to the venues, and customers will be sent a voucher to claim their beers when the businesses open their doors again.
Australian Associated Press
