A grey summer dimmed yet further for 86 people today with the confirmation that the Bass Ireland Brewery in west Belfast is to close in the New Year.
Eighty-five people are to lose their jobs and one Taoiseach is no doubt saddened that the closure of a brewery of his favourite tipple.
However, it isn't all bad news for Mr Ahern, himself a Bass drinker, who was asked to intervene by the Sinn Féin president and West Belfast MP, Mr Gerry Adams.
Bass will still be available in Ireland and a spokesman for the company said it planned to triple its market share by 2008. The beer is likely to be imported from Britain following the closure of the Bass Ireland Brewery.
The decision by owners Interbrew brings to an end 107 years of brewing at the brewery on the Glen Road. However, following intensive discussions with a number of interested parties, no suitable purchaser had emerged the company said.
The company hoped to be in a position to offer redeployment to around 20 of the workers losing their jobs, said Mr David Randall, Interbrew British supply chain director.
The company said its Irish operation, which employs 75 people, was also unaffected by the announcement.