NEWS OF THE BREWS
St David's Ale
St David's Ale is now Brains' best-selling speciality ale, according to the Welsh brewer.
Originally brewed in 1997 to celebrate St David's Day (1 March), it is now in continuous production with sales up 56% last year and an impressive 302% on 2006.
Brains describes the 4.1% abv beer as a light, daffodil-coloured ale, dry hopped with Styrian Goldings to create a spring ale with a refreshing bite and dry-hop aroma.
Brains sales and marketing director Richard Davies said: "St David's Ale has always done well within Wales, but
we've never before seen such demand in England.
"It's great to see a Welsh ale going down so well across the border and we hope to build on this momentum and increase distribution of our other brands, including the highly popular SA Gold."
Top Tipple
Frederic Robinson will be brewing Top Tipple for three months, beginning in April.
The 3.9% abv ale is the second seasonal to come from the Stockport-based brewer this year. Top Tipple is a light, golden beer with aromas of citrus and honey and is described as having "a round, sweet malt palate that is perfectly balanced by a clean, crisp bitterness".
The brewer said each of its seasonal beers will be distinctively different and brewed specifically to suit its season of availability. The first of the seasonal beers was Tempus Fugit, a 4.2% abv chestnut-brown ale available until the end of March.
Top Tipple will be available via national wholesalers as well as in Robinson's estate of 400-plus pubs.
Trojan Horse
Manchester brewer Hydes has introduced the second of its seasonal ales for 2008. Trojan Horse is a 4.2% abv amber-coloured ale said to offer a balance of bitter and sweet tastes with a slightly spicy malt tang.
Hydes' marketing director David Safiruddin said: "The second beer in the series is a slightly lighter addition, perfect for enjoying a few pints with friends."
The brewer's first seasonal ales was Harem Scarem, which the brewer said exceeded sales expectations. Other brews planned for later in the year are: 4.4% abv Eager Beaver (May and June); 4.1% abv Bells & Whistles (July and August); 4.5% abv Owd Bill (September and October); and 4.9% abv Mumbo Jumbo (November and December).
