Thieves have made off with more than 70,000 pints’ worth of Guinness, as they hit the Diageo-owned Runcorn depot.

According to police, two lorries were driven into the depot on Monday and attached to waiting trailers holding a combined total of about 800 barrels before being driven away.

Cheshire police have appealed for witnesses who may have seen a lorry entering the Aston Lane area at about 7.45pm. They stressed they hoped for a full recovery of the stolen barrels.

DS McClatchy said: “It is famously said that ‘Guinness is good for you’, but that is only the case when it has been bought and paid for.”

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

“It is with this in mind that we have wasted no time in launching inquires to identify those responsible for the theft of £115,000 worth of Guinness and the two trailers that housed the barrels. We will settle for nothing less than the full recovery of all the items stolen.”

When including the value of the trailers, the total value of the items stolen is estimated at about £205,000.

McClatchey asked anyone with information to speak to officers. “We would also ask any motorists who were driving in the area at the time of either of the incidents to please review any dashcam footage to see if you have captured anything that could aid our investigation.”

Diageo had unveiled plans to double Guinness production as part of a major turnaround programme, that will also see the drinks giant reduce roles across its global workforce.

The Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff owner said the overhaul is designed to simplify the business, improve efficiency and support investment behind its strongest growth opportunities.

Chief executive Dave Lewis said Diageo plans to double Guinness capacity by 2029, describing the brand’s future as “very bright”. The investment is also intended to help avoid a repeat of shortages in the UK during peak trading periods.