An expected 50 million pints of beer and cider may end up going down the drain as pubs across the UK remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic - which is, of course, nothing short of absolutely heartbreaking.
The figure comes from the chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Tom Stainer, who told the BBC he estimates the UK's 39,000 pubs have on average 15 barrels in their cellar at any time.
Most of these are kegs will be kegs containing 11 gallons (88 pints) each, although many real ales also come in nine-gallon (72-pint) casks.
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Stainer explained that the best-before dates on pasteurised beer - which includes most lagers - is usually around three-to-four months after delivery, while for real ales and other unpasteurised beer it's normally six-to-nine weeks.
Stainer told the BBC: "It's a very sad waste of all the work and talent that goes into producing great beer.
"People won't get to drink it and all those resources have been used up for nothing."
Meanwhile, supermarket alcohol sales are a completely different picture.
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After the government ordered restaurants, bars and pubs to close to the public on Friday 20 March, sales of booze in supermarkets was up by more than a fifth last month.
"People are missing these things in their lives," Stainer added.
"It's not the biggest issue that the country is dealing with, but aspects of life like going to the cinema or cafe, or going for a pint, are something we treasure."
Some pubs and breweries are finding ways to continue making money during the lockdown, but many of these also aren't ideal.
Keris De Villiers, landlady of the Ram Inn in Wandsworth, south-west London, told the BBC that even selling takeaway beer would create problems, saying she felt it wouldn't be 'socially responsible' flogging from a 'very small pavement'.
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She said: "Our brewer literally talks to his tanks when he's at work every day. People really care about the beer they're making. It's a craft and people are passionate about it."
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: "Pubs are at the heart of our communities and an important part of local economies.
"We've asked them to temporarily close in order to help protect people and reduce the spread of the virus. But we are also delivering support to help businesses, including pubs, through the coronavirus pandemic."
Let's all bring some positivity, support and fun to anyone who might find themselves in isolation as a result of the coronavirus spread. Need some entertainment? Join Isolation Nation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coronasupport/
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Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, News, Drink, Pubs, Coronavirus, Food And Drink, Beer