Brooklyn Brewery's Stonewall Inn IPA launches in UK, Black Sheep Brewery re-releases festive favourites

Brooklyn Brewery’s Stonewall Inn IPA launches in UK

Speciality beer importer Euroboozer has announced a partnership with Brooklyn Brewery to bring in an eclectic selection of the brand’s most-wanted creations to the UK, including its Stonewall Inn IPA.

Stonewall Inn IPA is available now in bottle (330ml), can (440ml) and keg (30-litre) formats. The beer is a citrus-forward session IPA with an ABV of 4.5% and notes of lemon peel and fresh grapefruit zest and is the official beer of the Stonewall Inn pub in New York City and its Stonewall Inn Gives Back​ initiative. 

Euroboozer managing director Martyn Railton said: “Brooklyn Brewery is one of the true pioneers of the craft beer movement with a host of iconic beers created by one of the world’s most talented brewers in Garrett Oliver. Backed by great people and beautiful values, it’s an absolute honour to be working with the innovative brewery in the coming years to bring some of their most exciting beers to the UK’s discerning craft beer lovers.” 

When the Stonewall Inn was raided in 1969, the LGBTQ+ community rioted and this led to six nights of unrest, which became the catalyst for the modern day LGBTQ+ rights movement in the US and beyond. 

Brooklyn Brewery’s Maximilian Smith added: “We’ve always loved working with Euroboozer over the years due to their awesome people and passion for craft beer. So, we’re all really excited to be collaborating with them on our specialty beer portfolio and more importantly putting in the work to help support the Stonewall Inn Gives Back​ initiative here in the UK.” 

Double joy as Black Sheep releases festive ales

Black Sheep Brewery has announced the return of its popular Christmas brew, Blitzen, giving customers the chance to stock their bars with a proper festive favourite.

First launched in 2014, the festive ruby ale is made with Cascade and Goldings hops, orange and mixed peels as well as muscovado sugar. It is said to offer aromatic notes of raisins and biscuits, combined with a rich taste of dark fruits and hints of chocolate and citrus.

Blitzen was released to on-trade customers in cask from Monday (22 November) and will be available in pubs across the country throughout the festive period.

Along with Blitzen, Yorkshire’s award-winning brewery is also set to relaunch the York Brewery ‘Snowflake’ beer as part of its seasonal calendar. Snowflake is a 3.7% ABV festive pale ale brewed with a duo of American hops, offering a citrus punch with a crisp, clean finish.

Black Sheep Brewery head of sales and marketing Jonny Kirkham said: “There’s a lot of confidence across the hospitality industry that pubs will be able to trade with fewer restrictions this year, after the large disruptions to the on-trade last December. And as the weeks got colder and people began preparing for Christmas, our customers wanted to know one thing – when will we see Blitzen back in the pubs?

“That’s why we’re delighted to announce that Blitzen will be back by popular demand this Christmas. We’re thrilled to be able to help customers enjoy a festive tipple as they celebrate the festive season this year and make up for lost time.”

Naughty & Nice stout varieties offer from Vocation

Winter is approaching and stouts are about. Hebden Bridge craft brewer Vocation is launching its seasonal collection gift box in time for Christmas called Naughty & Nice.

Each box contains five different versions of Vocation’s original Naughty & Nice Stout, with an exclusive Christmas 2021 Gold Allegra Tasting Glass but each of the five varieties is also available to the on-trade via in both keg and cask-strength versions, as well as in cans. The new Naughty & Nice collection gift boxes are available overseas via Vocation’s growing export business.

The range includes Naughty & Nice Original Chocolate Stout (5.9% ABV), Naughty & Nice Salted Caramel Stout (8% ABV), Naughty & Nice Black Forest Stout (6.5% ABV), Naughty & Nice Toasted Marshmallow Stout (7.2% ABV) and Naughty & Nice Imperial Stout (10% ABV).

Matt Howgate, brewing director at Vocation Brewery, said: “Our original Naughty & Nice Chocolate Stout has been a best-seller for several years and we were keen to showcase the beer in other variations, at different strengths for the different flavours. With the new additions including Salted Caramel, Black Forest, Toasted Marshmallow and Imperial, there’s a flavour and strength for all occasions.”

In the Doghouse for Baller Chilli Bacon Vodka

London-based Doghouse Distillery has introduced a new flavour Baller ‘Chilli Bacon’ Vodka (40% ABV) to its growing portfolio of spirits.

The latest innovation from the Battersea-bred distillery is available now in a 70cl and 5cl bottle format on Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange and the Doghouse Distillery website plus “a vast selection of on-trade venues”.

The spirit is produced using “super premium” wheat vodka, Mexican-grown Habanero chillies and a secret ingredient that imparts a bacon-sweet smokiness. It can be enjoyed with dry ginger ale or used in a unique Bloody Mary cocktail.

Doghouse Distillery founder Braden Saunders said: “We wanted to bring something new to the market that not only excites consumers but also gives bartenders another way to deliver great-tasting cocktails such as the Bloody Mary. We are really happy with the outcome as we feel we have a high-quality flavoured vodka, using a totally unique blend, which gives the liquid a taste like no other. As flavoured vodka continues to grow in popularity among consumers, our new vodka innovation is set to disrupt the category, providing people with a flavour they have never experienced before.”

Trio of healthy mixers take global coastline inspiration

Healthy mixer range Coast has launched three flavours that have been inspired by global coastlines.

The variants – British Tonic, White Tea & Yuzu Soda and Maple Soda – are said to be low in sugar and can be drunk on their own or as part of a mixed beverage. On-trade sites selling the range include Hawksmoor Group, Noble Rot Soho, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, Rose & Crown Clapham, East Coast Distillery and Essex Produce Co.

Coast founder Joe McCanata said: "We started Coast with the aim to solve a simple problem: gin and tonic just tasted too bitter and was too sweet, soda water was not exciting, and there were no perfect mixers for dark spirits. Through Coast, we created a new generation of premium mixers that leave you feeling refreshed yet wanting more.”

Its Tonic Water expression is inspired by Great Britain and “a touch of not-too-bitter quinine rounds the sea salt minerality and bright acidity. On the nose, evocative perfumes of the great British coastline – a touch of fresh cut grass, seaside minerality and light citrus”. 

Its Soda Water sought influences from south Japan by offering “a subtle umami finish owing to natural white tea at its heart” with a hint of Japanese pine and zesty yuzu finished with Japanese sea salt.

Meanwhile, its New England-inspired Maple Soda is said to mix well with aged rums and American-style whiskeys.

If you have any new products that are being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images before Thursday at midday for potential inclusion on Friday’s article to tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​​​​​​.