Greene King gains Red Tractor logo

Greene King has become the first brewer to gain Red Tractor accreditation across its entire beer portfolio.

Beers including Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, Ruddles County, St Edmunds, XX Mild and Hop can now carry the Red Tractor logo on packaging.

"With the current economic situation people are showing an increased interest in supporting British farmers and goods, and the Red Tractor certification demonstrates those authentic local origins," said brewing and distribution director Steve Magnall.

The award highlights the company's commitment to sourcing from British farms, Magnall added.

"We work extremely closely with farmers to ensure that we always get the very best quality ingredients and that, even when the crops vary as a result of the weather, they can still deliver a consistent and top-quality pint."

Greene King buys its barley from local Suffolk and Norfolk farmers, supporting around 6,000 acres of barley growing land, and still uses water drawn from chalk wells under the town of Bury St Edmunds.

The brewer will be supplying pump crowners to all Greene King IPA stockists over the next few weeks to promote the move, and has already modified IPA packaging to give more prominence to its local and countryside connections.

David Clarke, chief executive of Assured Food Standards, which runs the Red Tractor scheme, was quick to congratulate the brewer.

"This is something that everyone in the company can be proud of," he told the MA. "This offers them the opportunity to communicate an extremely positive and relevant message to consumers, which we are only too pleased to endorse."

The Red Tractor mark ensures the quality and origin of ingredients and ethical production methods. It appears on over £7.5bn worth of food and drink in the UK.

Last April rival brewer Wells & Young's announced Red Tractor accreditation for its Young's Bitter brand.