Brewers go Fairtrade
Westerham Brewery and Freeminer from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, have received Fairtrade accreditation for their draught beers.
Having the Fairtrade label means Third World producers get a good price for their products. The new beers are launched to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 26 February to 11 March.
Freeminer's Fairplay Ale is brewed with European hops, British malt and Malawian Fairtrade Demerara sugar from smallholders' co-operatives in Malawi. It falls between a traditional ale and a blonde beer.
"Our new Fairplay Ale is a quality beer and proves that Fairtrade products can be mainstream rather than niche," said Freeminer managing director, Peter Thomas. "Its Fairtrade credentials will give this beer a unique competitive edge."
The Westerham Brewery's William Wilberforce Freedom Ale, brewed to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, is also brewed with Fairtrade Demerara sugar.
Westerham's managing director, Robert Wicks, said traditionally floor-malted Maris Otter pale ale malt, crystal malt and Kentish hops combine with Fairtrade sugar to produce a deep mahogany ale with a mellow bitterness and long hoppy finish.
Meanwhile, drinks wholesaler WaverleyTBS is set to list its first Fairtrade wines for the on-trade in May - Isabelo Semillon and Isabelo Merlot from South Africa.
Catherine Boot, category manager for South African wines, said: "Having seen the rising interest in Fairtrade wine in the supermarkets, we have decided this year to offer a pair of Fairtrade wines to our on-trade restaurant, bar and hotel customers."
fairtrade for orchid group
Orchid Group is to roll-out Fairtrade hot drinks across its estate.
The managed operator is working with Fairtrade coffee specialists Cafeology to roll-out Fairtrade coffee, hot chocolate and tea into its 300 outlets. Fairtrade coffee was introduced in Laurel's Slug & Lettuce chain two years ago.
Jason Danciger, head of food at Slug & Lettuce, said: "Coffee sales have increased and the quality has remained consistent. Introducing it was the right choice, both morally and commercially."
