There's no denying Maitland folk certainly love a beer and love their local.
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While many drinkers, pubs and clubs are feeling the pinch with Coronavirus shut down laws, brewing company Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) has a novel plan to help keep the industry alive.
CUB and the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) have launched For the Love Of Your Local campaign and the O'Hara Hotel Group is on board.
The O'Hara Group's, Windsor Castle, Bank, Rutherford and Bradford hotels, did their own launch this week unveiling the plan to its supporters.
The plan is for customers to buy a pint now and drink it later. Customers go to For the Love of Your Local website and nominate their favourite local, buy a pint voucher for $10 and when the ban lifts they can head to their local for two pints because CUB will match every pint purchased with a second one for free.
CUB is giving the beer to each hotel/club for free ensuring every dollar goes to the nominated pub or club.
The aim is to generate cash flow for hotels and clubs and to boost morale. It's hoped the initiative will inject $1m into pubs over the next few weeks and make it easier for them to survive and reopen.
"You can buy vouchers for friends and message or email them on," said Nick Quinn from the O'Hara Group.
"Pubs and clubs are major employers and we contribute substantially to the local economy because we employ locally and buy locally," he said. "They now have little or no income but this campaign will help bring the cash injection the industry needs.
"Through this campaign we get every cent, which is a huge help but it's also a real morale booster to know you have your community rallying around you during a tough time," Nick said.
"It'd be a great idea to buy a pint to thank a doctor or nurse for all the hard work they have been doing fighting the virus, or buy a voucher for some mates to meet you down here after we open again."
"I think many of us will need a pint to celebrate when this is over and this will be a a win win for us and the customer."