New beers from Black Sheep and Hackney breweries

On your Velo

Leading this weeks round up is Black Sheep Brewery's relaunch of its cask beer, Velo (4.2% ABV).

First brewed to mark the 2014 Tour de France, which passed the gates of the brewery, Velo, which translates to 'bike' in French, will be available in cask ale pubs across the country from the start of May.

Velo, the fourth beer to be launched as part of Black Sheep’s 2022 Seasonal Cask Beer Range to celebrate its 30th Anniversary in September, offers cask beer lovers notes of citrus and zest whilst the coriander adds a subtle tang to create a complex flavour profile.

Black Sheep Brewery CEO Charlene Lyons said: “For us, May signifies the start of the cycling season so we couldn’t let this ‘freewheeling’ pale ale go amiss this year as it really is one of our favourites.

"Our brewery is located on a number of popular cycling routes so cycling plays a huge part in our summer each year and hopefully Velo will provide some much need refreshment at the end of a long ride out.”

Velo is available now from the Black Sheep Brewery webshop in 500ml bottles in packs of either 10 or 20 at RRP £23.50 and £45 respectively. 

Atopia launches two new variants

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Atopia, the premium non-alcoholic spirit range, has added two new flavours to its award-winning range, Rhubarb & Ginger and Hedgerow Berry.

Both of Atopia's new offerings are copper pot distilled before being blended with natural botanicals and flavours, crafted to elevate mindful drinking moments.

Atopia’s Rhubarb & Ginger boasts notes of green apple and rhubarb with a hint of pink grapefruit, followed by the gentle heat of ginger on the palette while the Hedgerow Berry variant offers a compote of tart blackberries, redcurrants, and raspberries, with floral undertones of rosehip and pomegranate with just a hint of spice. 

The growing Atopia range comes as the No to Lo category has increased in popularity, with a recent survey, conducted by Atopia, finding nearly half of UK drinkers (48%) are choosing to moderate their alcohol intake.

Both Atopia Hedgerow Berry and Rhubarb & Ginger are available in 70cl bottles from Clink for £23 RRP.

Real Architects of Society

Launched earlier this week, Architects of Society, a 5% ABV Kolsch brewed with Bere barley and Scotch Annat, is the latest serve from Beers Without Beards, brewed by the group on the 8th of March for International Women Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD).

The group teamed up with the Leith based Newbarns Brewery to create the beer, which has been lagered for 6 weeks and is a crisp and delicate example of a style originating from Cologne, Germany.

Inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s quote 'Women are the real architects of society', the beer name has been chosen by the members of the Beers Without Beards group while the design of the label was inspired by the posters from the Suffragette movement.

The beer was officially launched on Wednesday 27 April at the Nauticus bar in Leith and is available now from Newbarns webshop at an RRP of £4.20 per serve. 

Mouton Cadet announces second organic wine offering 

Mouton Cadet has launched its second organic wine, Mouton Cadet Organic Rosé 2021 (12%ABV), which is available now, following the launch of the brands Organic Red last year.

Produced in Bordeaux using a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, Mouton Cadet Organic Rosé, which is certified vegan as well as organic, offers fruit flavours with aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, citrus and tropical fruit. 

Mouton Cadet Organic Rosé, distributed in the UK by Freixenet Copestick, is available from Slurp at RRP £12.95.

Signature Brew adds a new variant to its core range 

East London Brewery and music venue, Signature Brew, has added a new variant to its core range.

A hazy and full bodied New England IPA with notes of apricot and tropical fruits, Stylus (6% ABV) has been crafted using Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, Idaho 7 hops.

Signature Brew, founded in 2011 and the only brewery to have won the Society of Independent Brewers' Brewery of The Year Award twice (in 2018 and 2021), has also spearheaded the creation of the Blackhorse Beer Mile, consisting of Signature Brew and other nearby breweries in the E17 area, set to be launched on Sunday 1 May with a celebration of exclusive beers, live music, brewery tours and street food.

Stylus is available now in 440ml cans at RRP £5 direct from Signature Brew.

Creating a buzz 

Introducing Buzzed, the British made tonic water infused with caffeine and sweetened with pure blossom honey and plant-based Stevia.

Unlike most energy drinks, which use synthetic caffeine, Buzzed’s caffeine source is 100% naturally retrieved, extracted from natural plant sources, but contains more caffeine per 100ml than the UK’s leading energy brand, according to Buzzed, and only 17 calories per serve.

According to Kantar, tonic water has seen one of the biggest growth drivers in adult soft drinks with research from FMCG Gurus Beverage Trends in 2021 having shown 70% of consumers have become more attentive to natural ingredient claims over the last 12 months.

Buzzed founder, Louise Lloyd said: “There is a well-established consumer occasion for spirits and an energy drink, but there is no premium brand in this space offering a clean, natural solution which doesn’t compromise on flavour.

"Our research has shown many people choose this drink combination despite the taste, not because of it, simply to get a pick me up. Buzzed was created to quite simply lift your spirit, not overpower it.”

Best enjoyed as a standalone drink, as a mixer for spirits or a low/no alcohol alternative, Buzzed is available now in 100% recyclable packing from Selfridges in cases of eight at RRP £5.50.

Amaro Santoni releases award-winning aperitif

Made with 34 natural herbs and botanicals Amaro Santoni (16% ABV), a multi-award-winning aperitif, offers consumers an aromatic and floral taste of Tuscany. 

Boasting notes of rhubarb and iris with undertones of citrus and olive leaves, the lightly alcoholic, ruby-hued liquid pays homage to the treasures of its hometown, Florence, in both form and flavour. 

Amaro Santoni is available now from the Whiskey Exchange and Amazon at RRP £26.95.

Unicorn Rodeo rereleased in partnership with LGBTQIA+ helpline 

Closing this weeks round up is another relaunch, Hackney Brewery has rereleased its double dry hopped extra pale ale, Unicorn Rodeo, for the fourth year, with proceeds donated to Switchboard, an LGBT+ helpline which has been giving advice to those who need it for more than 45-years.

Along with raising funds for Switchboard, Unicorn Rodeo's annual release helps raise awareness of the support the helpline provides 365 days a year with Switchboard's helpline number to feature on the label of Unicorn Rodeo cans.

Switchboard general manager Stephanie Fuller said: "Through our listening service, we've been supporting LGBTQIA+ communities right across the UK, since 1974, with calm words when they are needed most.

"Our trained listening volunteers create a safe space for people that need to have sensitive and non-judgemental conversations on matters relating to sexuality and gender identity. The support of Hackney Brewery will make a real difference to the help we're able to provide"

Unicorn Rodeo (4% ABV), brewed with Simcoe, Mosaic & Citra hops resulting in a combination of citrus, mango and grapefruit flavours, will be available online from the brewery in cans from Monday 8 May and in kegs from July.

If you have any new products 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 Erorppn.jryyre@jeoz.pbz​​