New product round-up
‘England’s first’ carbon-negative gins, Queer Brewing unveils core range, Tanqueray creates Blackcurrant serve
Cooper King Distillery creates ‘England’s first’ carbon-negative gins
Yorkshire-based Cooper King Distillery has unveiled what it claims to be England’s first carbon-negative gins as part of its ongoing commitment to fighting climate change.
The award-winning eco-distillery’s Dry and Herb Gins are now classed as carbon-negative meaning that, for every bottle created, the drinks maker removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it's production processes emit.
In addition to carbon offsetting, each bottle of gin sees one square metre of native woodland planted in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
What’s more, as part of Cooper King’s commitment to long term sustainability, the team recently planted 30 juniper bushes on site which could produce enough juniper for around 15,000 bottles of gin a year once mature.
The business has also signed the United Nations Climate Neutral Now Pledge and was the first distillery in Europe to join environmental initiative 1% for the Planet.
Chris Jaume, co-founder, Cooper King Distillery said: “Producing flavour-driven, sustainable drinks has always been at the core of what we do, because we believe drinking good spirits needn’t cost the Earth.
“After a year’s worth of hard work, and despite a pandemic, we’re delighted that we’ve been able to achieve carbon-negative status for our two core products.
“Reaching this milestone is a significant step in our plan to become a carbon-negative distillery,” he added. We value people, planet and prosperity, and through sharing our findings in our publicly available Carbon Report we hope to inspire others to make a positive difference.”
Whiplash Beer appoints CASK International for UK distribution
Dublin-based microbrewery Whiplash Beer has entered a partnership with UK craft beer specialist CASK International for all distribution in the United Kingdom.
Whiplash produces three year-round beers, Body Riddle Pale Ale, Rollover Session Ale and Northern Lights Micro IPA, alongside a revolving roster of special editions and collaboration brews.
CASK International specialises in craft beer which is distributed via their cold-chain network across the UK. Its aim is to provide customers access to consistent, high quality and great tasting beers.
Crabbie & Co announces launch of 1992 Speyside Single Malt
Scotch whisky brand John Crabbie & Co has launched a new single cask, 28-year-old Speyside Single Malt, of which just 260 bottles will be released.
One of the brand’s oldest expressions to date, this rare spirit has been matured for 28 years in a single cask from an unnamed distillery in the Glenlivet Valley of Speyside and bottled at 45.5% at Crabbie’s facility in Edinburgh.
John Kennedy, commercial controller for Scotland at John Crabbie & Co, commented: “John Crabbie was well renowned for sourcing whiskies from the very best distilleries in Scotland, and as we seek to continue his legacy – this 1992 Speyside Single Malt is certainly no exception.
“Given the quality of the liquid and the real rarity of an age release from this Speyside distillery, this is an incredibly exciting launch for the John Crabbie brand, and we’re confident that it’ll be well-received amongst whisky fans.
“Plus, with the price point, and the limited production, we don’t think it’ll be available for long”.
Vivir Tequila strikes a distribution deal with Mangrove UK
Mangrove UK has announced a new distribution deal with independent British Tequila brand Vivir – an award-winning range of premium tequila made from 100% highland agave.
“Mangrove is the perfect partner for our Tequila brands here in the UK,” Paul Hayes, co-founder and CEO at Vivir explained. “We have a deep-rooted passion for the category, which is shared by the whole team over at Mangrove.
“We want to change general perceptions of Tequila over here, away from just the shot culture, at both the entry and premium levels.
“Mangrove 100% understand this and want to support our mission. We also have a key focus on sustainability in all we do, which is very much echoed by Mangrove’s philosophy. We look forward to a bright future together.”
Nick Gillett, MD of Mangrove UK, added: “I love Tequila and when people you respect in the trade tell you to taste a brand, you have to take notice.
“Having known [Vivir founders] Nav and Paul for a couple of years, a great opportunity arose to add this premium range to our portfolio.
“Vivir combines an authentic production process and a strong focus on quality with highly-appealing, contemporary packaging.
“I am confident the blend of the owners’ energy and Mangrove’s expertise we will be able to introduce the Vivir brands to a wider appreciative audience.”
Otterbeck Distillery unveils Cotton Gin
First distilled in lockdown, Otterbeck Distillery has rollout out premium small-batch spirit Cotton Gin in homage to the Yorkshire Dales.
Created using Yorkshire watercress, English coriander, hand-foraged local spruce, rowan berries, nettle leaves and mint, Cotton Gin is named after the building in which Otterbeck Distillery is housed.
The distillery is built on the site of an 18th century, five-story cotton and silk mill on the banks of the Otterburn Beck, a tributary of the River Aire. A ‘Cotton Ginny’ was a machine used in cotton production at the Mill.
McQueen Gin launches AR technology labels
McQueen Gin, based in Callander in Scotland, has launched what it claims are the “world’s coolest labels” which transport drinkers into an immersive gin experience by scanning the label via the dedicated McQueen Gin app,
Each bottle of the drinks maker’s Highland Dry Gin, Colour Changing, Blackcurrant and Raspberry, Citron, Five Chilli and Black Cherry and Vanilla variants showcases the “hidden inner secrets” of McQueen Gin with unique full-length animations.
The technology has taken a total of six months to develop following an £20,000 investment by McQueen.
Dale McQueen, MD of McQueen Gin, said: “At its core, one of the fascinating sociable aspects of society can be found when we share a drink with our friends, either in the pub or in our homes.
“With that option being limited in the current climate, we have enhanced this experience by creating an engaging AR experience on our six core range bottles that people will enjoy sharing across social media.
“We wanted to make not just an enjoyable tasting gin but an experience which would bond people together and give them something other than great taste to talk about.
“Not only are we the first Scottish Gin company to integrate augmented reality, we believe that we are the first gin company in the whole of the UK to fully integrate augmented reality into our label design with our own dedicated app, showcasing how McQueen continues to lead the industry in innovation,” he continued.
Beavertown re-releases Double Chin DIPA
Released annually, north London-based Beavertown’s Double Chin DIPA uses a double helping of the brewer’s award-winning Neck Oil recipe packed into one can.
With twice the ABV, hops and malt the west coast DIPA boasts “a biscuity light base, pine resin and grapefruit middle, topped with a tantalisingly tangy top note” according to its creators.
Umbrella London unveils new British fruit cider range
London-based independent cider producer, Umbrella London, has announced the launch of two new cans including an Apple Cider and a Rhubarb Cider which will be followed by a gooseberry serve in spring.
Umbrella London takes inspiration from British indigenous hedgerow and seasonal fruits and attempts to combine traditional techniques with contemporary ideas.
Umbrella's Apple Cider is made with British Dabinett and Cox apples, sourced directly from British farmers while its Rhubarb Cider is made using dessert apples and fresh pressed British rhubarb.
Tanqueray launches Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale
Premium gin brand Tanqueray has expanded its portfolio with 41.3% ABV Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale, with the brand also set to introduce two brand new ready-to-drink can formats for Tanqueray London Dry Gin and Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Distilled Gin in April.
Inspired by Charles Tanqueray's travels to France, Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale is made with the four botanicals of Tanqueray London Dry Gin and blended with blackcurrants from France, vanilla and black orchid floral notes.
Adrienne Gammie, marketing director for gins, Pimms and Baileys at Diageo said; “The gin category continues to thrive and this is primarily motivated by consumer demand for new and exciting variants.
“Tanqueray has always been commended for its taste and quality – and the introduction of Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale is an extension of the brand’s commitment to introducing rich and exciting new choices to the market.”
Queer Brewing creates new core range
Queer Brewing has launched three new core-range beers alongside a revamped visual identity aimed at creating space for LGBTQI+ people in the world of craft beer.
Created at Cloudwater Brew Co in Manchester, the core range comprises Witbier ‘Flowers’; pale ale ‘Existence As A Radical Act’; and Pilsner ‘Tiny Dots’.
“We wanted to create a range of beers that is as exciting to someone who’s yet to fully experience the full scope of flavours available across beer’s spectrum, as it is to someone who’s loved craft beer for years,” Lily Waite, Queer Brewing founder, said. “We wanted to brew beers that can bring people in through their approachability, and also open their minds through the beers’ complexity and character.
“Our aim is to use beer as a platform and as a vehicle for social change, pushing for more representation, visibility, and community for LGBTQ+ people—both in the beer world and beyond.
“The past couple of years has seen Queer Brewing grow from a spark of an idea into a thriving and internationally-renowned project,” Waite continued. “We’ve worked with some of the best breweries in the beer world, as well as some incredible smaller ones, and have learned so much from everyone with whom we’ve collaborated.
“With the help of our friends at Cloudwater Brew Co, we saw that now was the right time to put together a solid, readily-available core range.
“With a core range that we truly believe can appeal to anyone, regardless of beer-drinking status, we’re now looking beyond solely the craft beer market, to reach LGBTQ+ communities and venues who have, so far, long been overlooked by the beer world.”
Hogstar Juicy Lager launched for Valentine's Day
Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery has launched a limited edition Hogstar Juicy Lager especially for Valentine’s Day 2021.
The new brew is a super-hopped version of their popular Hogstar Lager brewed with special lager malts, natural herb extracts and the five hops used in the original Hogstar, including home-grown Cascade from the brewery's hop garden.
Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: "Homes are going to be at the heart of Valentine's Day celebrations this year, so we've created Juicy Lager to appeal to locked-down lovers wanting to toast the day with a special beer.
"Juicy Lager is packed with taste, making it ideal as a refreshing drink on its own, or to enjoy with a candlelit dinner, with its full flavours a great match for seafood or spicy dishes."
He added: "Beer and romance have long been linked, with special ales brewed for weddings down the centuries. We're delighted to be continuing this tradition with Juicy Lager and hope many romantics will enjoy it on Valentine's Day."
