Belhaven Black hoping to 'ignite stout market'

Greene King-owned Belhaven Brewery, one of Scotland’s oldest brewers, has introduced Belhaven Black and hopes it will ignite the UK’s stout market.

The new Scottish stout, described by Belhaven director George Howell as a “premium pint with provenance”, carries a 4.2% ABV and is designed to appeal to “discerning pub-goers”.

Belhaven Black is a “Scottish stout to shout about,” Howell said, adding that the use of local ingredients will make it even more attractive to customers.

According to Howell, the new stout provides drinkers with a much-needed choice and a good reason to get back to their local, and he was fully expecting its arrival to create a buzz in the marketplace.

Belhaven Black is available in keg through all of Greene King’s on-trade channels, and the brewer has an undisclosed “exclusive customer” lined up to sell the cask beer in June. A bottled version will follow.

The launch will be supported by in-outlet PoS including branded glassware, drip mats, bar runners and posters.

The new stout has been crafted to provide a taste of something different for fans of deeper, darker ales.