News of the Brews: A new look for Black Sheep, plus the best new beer releases for spring
Black Sheep ale has been given a new look, as the brewery looks to lure in new drinkers to the beer.
The new bottles are set to hit pubs in May, as the brewery looks to capitalise on year-on-year double digit growth.
“In a busy and diverse category, it’s all about standing out and the new design shouts loud from behind the bar,” said sales and marketing director Jo Theakston (pictured).
Saltaire Brewery has joined forces with the Northern Monk Brew Co to create a Smoked Porter.
The 6% ABV almost black ale has a, “smooth, satin mouthfeel with rich, dark smoked flavours from German malts.”
Last year Saltaire collaborated with the Dark Star Brewing Co to make a classic Bock beer.
Moorhouse’s has unveiled two limited edition summer ales.
The season kicks off in May with the 4.2% ABV Eldorado, made with American Eldorado hops. The beer has aromas of apricots and peaches, and a sweet biscuit taste from the Maris Otter malt.
In June, the 3.9% ABV Vanilla Cream Ale (VCA), will be launched. The light-coloured beer is made with “an interesting mix” of New Zealand Wakatu hops and Madagascan bourbon vanilla.
Adnams has put its Jack Brand Mosaic beer into bottles.
The brewer launched the pale ale in mini casks last month but says feedback has been so good it is now available in 330ml bottles as well.
The beer is made with Pale Ale, Cara and Lager malts, plus new hop variety Mosaic, which brewer Fergus Fitzgerald says brings together elements of the flavours found in Galaxy, Citra and Nelson Sauvin hops.
A nettle ale is the Spring arrival from Hall & Woodhouse’s Badger Ales brand.
Billy Stinger is a 4.5% ABV beer made with nettles for a “zingy” and “tongue-tingling” taste.
The brew has a grassy aroma, and a subtle herbal character on the palate. It goes well with Thai curries, Asian-style fishcakes or roast lamb, said the brewer.
It will be available throughout the brewer’s pub estate from now until the end of May.
Butcombe Brewery has reduced the ABV of its Adam Henson’s Rare Breed ale and revamped the packaging.
The beer was originally launched in 2011 as a guest ale brewed with TV presenter Adam Henson but proved so popular it became a permanent part of the range.
It is made entirely from ingredients grown in the West Country and the new 3.8% ABV version (down from 4.2% ABV) is said to be paler in colour than the original, with a great “depth of flavour.”
