Hidden's way to Amarillo
Wiltshire's Hidden Brewery has released its seasonal Hidden Spring cask ale. The 4.5% abv beer, which is bronze in colour, is made using a single speciality hop of American origin, the light and floral Amarillo.
As with all its ales, Hidden uses traditional brewing methods to create Hidden Spring, which will be cask-conditioned for 10 days before being delivered to pubs in the south and south-west. Hidden now supplies around 1,000 pubs in that area.
Brewer Gary Lumber said: "This will be the third year that we have brewed Hidden Spring, and each year there is more and more demand. Sales have risen by about 100% each year. Using traditional techniques to brew the Amarillo hops has given it very distinct characteristics - a full, fruity taste and aroma."
McCoy's gets redesign
The McCoy's crisp brand has been given a packaging redesign by owner United Biscuits UK (UBUK).
The new packs will include a "30% less saturated fat" claim, which UBUK says highlights the product's improved nutritional credentials. The move is to be supported by a £4m TV advertising campaign.
Mark Sugden, customer marketing director, said: "McCoy's has a distinct positioning in the market as the 'real bloke's' snack brand. The packaging update and reduction in saturated fats will help drive growth in the category and drive up profits for retailers."
Juice Republic takes off
A new company has been set up to market a range of fruit juices, smoothies and fruit purées that are free of artificial additives and added sugar.
Juice Republic is offering juices and smoothies carrying its name in 25cl and
1-litre recyclable plastic bottles with
tamper-evident seals. The fruit purées
come in 1-litre bottles.
The products are available in a range of flavours, including single fruits such as orange, pineapple and apple, and blends including carrot with ginger and pink grapefruit with lychee. Point-of-sale material will help position the brand as "the juice, the whole juice and nothing but the juice".