Aspall relaunches blonde beer as Outlier
The keg lager, now called Outlier, has been rebranded and repackaged, although the beer itself remains the same and it will still be brewed by Shepherd Neame.
Henry and Barry Chevallier Guild, who run the family-owned Aspall business and set up Chevallier Brewing Company, are also looking at developing a keg IPA and a porter in the future, Henry added.
He also revealed to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser that Aspall was dropping the ABV of its Perronelle’s Blush Cyder from 5.4% ABV to 4% ABV.
The shift in alcohol level has come as a result of the continuing alcohol-duty escalator, he said. The company has had to completely reformulate the blackberry-flavoured cider in order to reduce the alcohol, and has replaced the crème de mure (blackberry liqueur) in the original cider with non-alcoholic blackberry juice.
It will continue to make the 5.4% ABV drink for export purposes, however.
“With the price continuing to increase year-on-year it will get to a point where people won’t buy it,” Chevallier Guild said.
“The new version is a bit lighter but it still pairs well with food and at this level of alcohol has the potential to move into draught as well as bottles, which we think would be really good for the brand.”
