Bohem Brewery Hana, Aber Falls Boco, Pink Diesel and Height of Arrows

Bohem Brewery Welcomes Hoppy Hana​

North London's Bohem Brewery is launching its first new beer since the pandemic, with the arrival of Hana. 

According to the brewery the 3.9% ABV dry-hopped lager combines an “Intensely hoppy citrus hit with the depth of flavour that characterises Bohem's authentic Czech style lagers.”

"Like most breweries, over the past year we've had to focus on keeping sales of our core range ticking over," said Bohem head brewer Matej Krizek. "Now, with demand increasing, we're delighted to be expanding our range again. Hana is our brand-new beer, offering new hope.

Hana, short for Hoppy Hana, is a traditional Czech name. Like all Bohem Brewery beers, Hana is brewed on genuine Czech decoction brewing equipment, and traditionally lagered at low temperature.

Aber Falls launches Single Malt to UK market​

Aber Falls has launched its 2021 Single Malt Welsh Whisky to the UK market.  

Bottled at 40% ABV, the new spirit is made using 100% Welsh malted barley, rock-filtered water taken from the Aber Falls Waterfall and is made by a team of local people. It is stored and matured in a traditional dunnage warehouse along the Menai Straits, before being bottled on site at the distillery. 

Dr Kirstie McCallum, master blender at Aber Falls, said: “The perfect whisky is made up of exceptional ingredients, ideal conditions and well considered casks made of top-quality wood. In particular, the two sherry casks used for this Single Malt have provided a very enjoyable flavour that we’re incredibly proud of.”

New UK sparkling wine hits the market

A new English sparkling wine made using the Charmat method has been launched. 

Boco by House Coren, is a wine made using the Charmat method sparkling wine made in West Sussex using top-quality English grapes.

Just like the method used in Prosecco, the secondary fermentation that occurs under pressure creates carbon dioxide and gives the wine its natural fizz. By fermenting in a tank rather than a bottle, the wine can be released earlier. 

House Coren, the creators of the wine, wanted to release a Charmat method wine as it believes the style “showcases the bright, fruity freshness found in English grapes.”  

William Coren, Managing Director of House Coren, said: “​We love that English wine has become increasingly popular over the past few years, but we wanted to create an offering that was slightly more innovative and accessible and the Charmat method allowed us to do that.

 He added: “We are delighted to debut our very first wine, which will be one of many in our future portfolio.”

New gin created with whisky in mind​

Edinburgh's Holyrood Distillery has produced Height Of Arrows, a new gin that has been created with whisky in mind and rejects botanical additions. 

The gin is stripped back to its core with juniper.

Managing director of Holyrood Distillery, Nick Ravenhall, said: “In Height of Arrows, we have made a gin that is distilled from our DNA as whisky makers. In whisky making we work with simplicity. Barley, water and yeast. 

“We've taken this same mind set to Height of Arrows and created a complex gin born from juniper alone taking centre stage. Our hope is that gin fans will be thrilled to explore a new direction in modern gin; one that elevates today's gin drinking experience.”

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Pink Diesel launches to on trade ​

Pink Diesel, a rosé wine from the Vineyards of Bandol in France, has launched into the pub sector. 

The brand, which focuses on its sustainable credentials uses recyclable materials wherever possible, and only works with a hand selected vineyard that uses modern machinery to reduce its carbon footprint. 

By hand picking the grapes and focusing on small harvests, it means there is very little waste and its goal is to remain totally carbon neutral 

All grapes are hand-picked in low yields to ensure that “every bottle captures the delicate notes of honey, peach and citrus undertones.”

KBE Drinks to become exclusive distributor for brewer Yeastie Boys

KBE Drinks has teamed up with Yeastie Boys Brewing Company to become its exclusive UK distributor and has also taken an equity stake in the business.

Yeastie Boys Brewing Company was founded in New Zealand 13 years ago with the aim of bringing innovative craft beers to its home country and, in 2015, it started brewing in the UK.

Its much-lauded beers include Gunnamatta and Pot Kettle Black have made their mark on the UK craft scene and achieved extensive distribution in specialist craft beer pubs, plus off-trade retailers like Majestic Wine and Waitrose.

However, using the sales resource and customer relationships held by KBE will help the brewer break into the more mainstream on-trade.

KBE Drinks was set up more than 30 years ago to distribute Indian beer, Kingfisher, to the UK and throughout Europe. The past five years have seen a period of rapid growth, which has included taking on world beers such as Sagres from Portugal, Dos Equis from Mexico and Lion from Sri Lanka.

According to KBE Drinks, Yeastie Boys sales have grown by 533% in just four years.

KBE Drinks chief operating officer Shaun Goode said: “Everyone is thrilled to be adding Yeastie Boys to the KBE Drinks family. In recent years, craft beer has continued its march into the mainstream and is now a must stock for any premium pub or bar. Combining Yeastie Boys great beers with our commercial reach should be a match made in heaven and I would encourage publicans and bar owners to check out the range and stock up.”

Stu McKinlay, co-founder of Yeastie Boys, added: “We're elated to be partnering up with KBE Drinks. They bring just the sort of market knowledge and expertise we need to take Yeastie Boys to the next level while allowing our small team to continue concentrating on brand, quality, and key relationships. We talked to several interested parties over the past couple of years and KBE stood head and shoulders above everyone else.”