Heineken, the manufacturer of one of the UK’s favourite bottled beers, Newcastle Brown Ale, has issued a recall across several batches due to safety concerns. Drinkers have reported finding ‘glass fragments’ in their bottles after opening them.
The public is being urged not to consume the affected 550ml bottles and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, provided they haven’t been opened. The recall was triggered when some customers noticed the glass neck of the bottle fracturing upon opening, posing a risk of injury from glass fragments.
Known sometimes as “Newkie Brown”, “the dog”, or simply “brown,”, Newcastle Brown Ale has been a staple in the UK’s pubs, bars, and supermarkets for much of its 98-year history. A Heineken spokesperson responded to the recall stating: “Safety is our top priority, and on the basis that a small number of bottles are impacted by this potential safety issue, we are recalling this run of glass bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale as a precaution.”
Customers who have purchased a bottle with the best before date of November 30, 2025, and the correct batch code are being urged to return their beer for a full refund. No receipt is needed for the refund, though the bottle will need to be unopened.
The affected batches are: L4321, L4322, L4323, L4324, L4325, L4326, according to the Food Standards Agency. Heineken has issued a stark warning to consumers, with a spokesperson stating that bottles from these batches should not be consumed.
This batch number can be found in the bottom right of the beer’s label, just below the best before date. This recall affects all bottles sold, whether in convenience stores, supermarkets, or even those purchased by punters in bars and pubs.
The Heineken representative urged: “We urge those consumers in possession of the product not to drink it, but to return the unopened bottles to where they purchased them for a refund. We urge those consumers in possession of the product not to drink it, but to return the unopened bottles to where they purchased them for a refund.
“We ask any customers to immediately halt the sale of any stock they hold with these batch numbers. We are providing customers guidance on how to register and return affected stock and ask them to contact our customer care team with any additional queries.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working with the regulatory authorities after alerting them of the matter.”
