Theakston launches first dry cider in more than 30 years
Yorkshire based brewery, Theakston, has announced the launch of Theakston Paradise Gold, a 6.8% ABV vintage dry, sparkling, golden cider.
The breweries first cider in more than 30 years takes its name in tribute to the apple trees that once grew in what is now the extended brewery yard at the Theakston’s Red Lane brewery site, then known as Paradise Fields, inspired by the first and only cider the company produced between the late 1970s and the 1990s, known then as Theakston Dry Vintage Cider.
Theakston executive director Simon Theakston said: “The pandemic gave us pause to reflect on the past, look back at our archives and rediscover some old favourites from our 195-year long history.
“We’ve long talked about reviving this association between the company and cider production and now industry confidence is returning, we felt there was no better time to have a bit of fun and experiment with cider recipes to bring back a delicious variation on a theme of dry, crisp fruity cider meeting the demand for a new generation.”
Theakston Paradise Gold is available now direct from the brewery at RRP £27 for 12x500ml bottles.
Spirit of Manchester Distillery releases three new serves
Award-winning Spirit of Manchester Distillery has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of three new variants across its vodka range; Coffee, Tonka and Grapefruit.
The launch follows the installation of the company’s new rot-vap distillation method last year (also known as cold distillation under vacuum), allowing it to naturally diversify and expand its portfolio of spirits such as the newly launched serves, which have been in development since 2021 with two new exclusive flavours yet to be announced.
Spirit of Manchester Distillery co-founder Seb Heeley-Wiggins said: "The vodka category is extremely popular at the moment, something that is reflected both in market data, and also from our own inhouse customer research where we have seen a definite increase in interest for our range.
"Our company has been going from strength to strength and we are extremely proud to have an increasingly diverse spirit portfolio, which now includes gins, vodka, rums and vermouth.
“We are excited to now begin talks with a number of investors as we look to build on our successful business position over the months ahead."
The new range will be available from a selection of retailers and online from Spirit of Manchester as well as in some Manchester bars, including the distillery’s own, Three Little Words.
Black Sheep Brewery announces first West Coast IPA
Black Sheep Brewery, based in Yorkshire, has released a brand-new cask beer, Adventurer (5.2%).
Adventurer, the breweries first West Coast IPA, available exclusively on cask, is loaded with American hops to provide beer lovers with flavours of ripe, tropical fruit blended with a bed of rich malt and finished with a lip-smacking bitterness.
Black Sheep Brewery head of sales Johnny Kirkham said: “Despite the broad variety of brilliant flavour combinations available in pubs across the country, the cask beer industry has experienced a steady decline in popularity in recent times.
“Following the launch of Adventurer, as well as the other beers included in our seasonal range, we hope that those who have never tried cask before will give it a real go and discover that there really is a cask beer out there for everyone.
“Adventurer is one of our juiciest pints on tap, perfect for those wanting to dip their toe in and try their first cask beer.
“Alongside the Seasonal Cask Beer Calendar, we’re really hoping that the next phase of our Drink Cask Beer campaign will finally put to bed some of the mistruths surrounding cask beer in the most creative way possible – we can’t wait to announce who we’ve been working with.”
Black Sheep Brewery Adventurer is available now for a limited time as part of the breweries seasonal cask beer range.
Penrhos continues sustainability efforts
Penrhos Spirits has announced the launch of 2.5lt refillable pouches for the on trade, available in three of their award-winning flavours: Penrhos Dry, Rhubarb and Apple & Elderflower (40.5%ABV).
An independent spirits brand based in Herefordshire, all of Penrhos spirits are made using imperfectly perfect fruit from the Penrhos fruit farm that's unable to be sold to supermarkets with the new pouches a continuation of the companies' ongoing commitment to sustainability and improving their carbon footprint, requiring less energy than glass bottles to make and transport as well as being fully recyclable.
Penrhos co-founder Charles Turner said: "At Penrhos Spirits, we are always looking for ways to improve our sustainability in both the orchards and distillery. We also understand the difficulties facing businesses today and these pouches offer an additional benefit to trade by being more cost effective than gin in glass."
The new pouches are available by contacting Penrhos directly on hello@penrhosspirits.co.uk with prices on request.
Beavertown announces new hazy IPA
One for fans of hazy IPAs, Beavertown's Lunar Haze (4.5% ABV) is a tropical, hoppy and juicy IPA perfect for summertime sipping.
Lunar Haze offers notes of pineapple, sweet passionfruit and hints of peach with a cloudy lemon finish and a tropical aroma.
Alongside the launch of this latest IPA, Beavertown has also announced two new beers available at Tesco; Solar Flare (8% ABV) a hazy DIPA and New England IPA, Space Hulk (6% ABV), both available to purchase now in 440ml cans nationwide at RRP £4 and £3.50 respectively.
Beavertown's new hazy IPA joins the brands other serves such as Neck Oil and Gamma Ray.
Lunar Haze, also available at Tesco, is available now in 4 x 330ml at RPP £8.
Buzzballz launches six serves in the UK
BuzzBallz unique bar strength RTD cocktails have been set to Launch in the UK with new six offerings.
America's best selling single-serve premixed cocktails, according to BuzzBallz, will be available in Choc Tease, Tequila ‘Rita, Strawberry ‘Rita, Lotta Colada, Chili Mango and Espresso Martini flavours from this month.
Each BuzzBall is 13.5% ABV, made with premium spirits and real fruit juice BuzzBallz, which are fully recyclable, offer operators a convenient and playful RTD cocktail serve, aimed at 25-40-year olds.
BuzzBallz founder Merrilee Kick said: “We’ve created a real buzz in the USA and we know there’s a huge appetite in the UK for fun, convenient ready-to-drink cocktails that pack a punch. The RTD market is a fast-growing category, yet it is crying out for more innovation and excitement. We believe that BuzzBallz can deliver this”.
The brand are also offering POS materials to support the UK launch including counter and chiller racks, free standing display units and eye-catching signage to add appeal and create a buzz in-venue.
BuzzBallz are available now from exclusive distributor Hammonds of Knutsford at RRP £3.50 per serve.
Bandmates become brewmates
Alcohol-free brewer, Big Drop, has launched a special edition 0.5% ABV Black IPA, By the River.
By the River offers dark and hoppy notes on the nose with chocolatey aromas with a hit of oakiness and pineapple, similar in appearance to stout.
In a nod to the breweries musical roots, and amplifying its partnership with the entertainment industry’s charity Backup Tech, By the River's name takes inspiration from the Clash, with Big Drop owing its creation to music as co-founders - Rob Fink and James Kindred were bandmates long before becoming brewmates.
Furthermore, they have a special affinity with Backup Tech as another of their band members was helped by the charity following his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Fink said: “What better way to welcome the festival season and introduce our charity partner, Backup Tech, than with a limited-edition Black IPA, crafted especially for music lovers by music lovers? We have shown love to the royals with our recent Jubilee IPA Thank Brew but now it’s time to celebrate the punks.”
By The River will be available from Friday 10 June for a limited 12 week period, direct from Big Drop, at RRP £29.50 for 12 x 440ml cans.
Nusa Caña on a mission to bring back forgotten story of Indonesian rum
Crafted exclusively for the on-trade, Nusa Caña will launch a small parcel of its Godfather variant (60% ABV) to the UK drinks sector this month, as a celebration of Batavia Arrack and pays tribute to the often-overlooked role Indonesia played in the history of rum.
Nusa Caña’s mission is to bring back the forgotten story of Indonesian rum. Godfather takes its name from Batavia Arrack’s moniker as ‘the godfather to the rum world’ – an ancient rum style that pre-dates its Caribbean cousins and is considered the world’s first International Luxury Spirit, according to Nusa Caña.
Nusa Caña Co-founder Sam Jeveons said: “Godfather is a luxurious and rare expression which showcases the origins of, and variety of styles within, today’s rum category. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with our existing rums - Nusa Caña Spiced Rum and Nusa Caña Tropical Island Rum - it’s special because it expresses our heartland and what drives us forward – the reigniting the forgotten role Indonesia played in the history of rum."
To create Batavia Arrack, Javanese sugar cane molasses (from the saccharum robustum cane) and crushed red rice are slowly fermented with local water, with the resulting liquid then distilled twice in antique steel pot stills and aged in large teak wood barrels in the tropical growing regions of Western and Central Java, Indonesia, before being shipped to Europe for blending and bottling, following 350 years of tradition.
Godfather will be available in 70cl bottles from Ten Locks.
Ten Locks head of commercial Becky Davies said: “We are delighted to be able to bring a true authentic Batavian Arrack to the UK on-trade to really showcase where Nusa Caña comes from and the history of Indonesian rum, its different production techniques and in turn, its different profile.
"This exclusive expression is available to bars and hospitality venues interested in broadening the education of bartenders in development and knowledge of the rum category and history of rum – which will remind consumers post-lockdown that the bar is a place for great cocktails and out of the ordinary drinks.
"This is a one-off, produced to help spread the message of the way in which Nusa Caña rum originated. It delivers value and prestige to the on-trade alongside the core Nusa Caña range, at a time when consumers are seeking heightened experiences and are more discerning about rum than ever before. We encourage bar owners, operators, drinks developers and bartenders to open themselves up to Indonesian rum.”
Bedlam Pilsner goes gluten free
Award winning Bedlam Brewery has announced its classic 4.2% Pilsner is now gluten free.
Brewed using traditional German techniques and ingredients with citrus Saaz and Saphir hops, the gluten free Pilsner retains the same crisp and refreshing flavour with notes of honey and can now be enjoyed by those who are gluten intolerant, gluten sensitive, and Coeliacs.
Bedlam Brewery head brewer Clark said: “We brew with the same ingredients as ever, but make a few changes to the brewing process, allowing the gluten in the beer to be broken down to the point where it is well below 20ppm - the threshold for being considered Gluten Free. Just as tasty and no compromise on flavour, but without the gluten, with barbecues around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better.”
The new serve joins Bedlam's keg Pilsner, 440ml and 330ml Pilsner cans, which are all vegan and gluten free (with the exception of Kelp Porter), soon to be followed by their bottled Pilsner.
Bedlam Pilsner is available direct from the brewery with prices on request.
Wainwright releases new amber ale
Award winning ale brand Wainwright, part of Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC), has expanded its portfolio with the release of its new amber ale, Wainwright Amber (4% ABV), available for the on-trade now in 50L keg and 9g cask formats.
Brewed with 100% English malt, Wainwright Amber is a refreshing new beer offering a hint of spice and a clean, creamy drinking experience with a malty and lightly fruity flavour delivering gentle bitterness.
The brand is looking to reach new audiences and greater success, following Wainwright Gold, which has risen to be the UK’s No.1 Golden Cask Ale, according to CMBC On Trade Power Report, and earned a World Beer Silver Award in the UK for 2019 and 2021 as well as Bronze at the International Beer Challenge 2021.
CMBC director of marketing for ales Miranda Osborne said: "Wainwright has succeeded at attracting modern drinkers who value quality and have a taste authenticity.
"We’re making a big push on Wainwright Amber, which we strongly believe is the right beer to capture the moment and inject excitement and energy back into the category.
"Amber Ale is a style that’s accessible and popular with drinkers. With Wainwright Amber, we’re adding our own touch to make an exciting new beer that can take the brand to new heights.
"In cask, Amber Ale accounts for 72% of the market. Wainwright has the highest Rate of Sale and delivers the greatest cash margin for outlets. With Wainwright Amber, we’re delivering an easy-drinking, must-have ale that adds value to venues of all kinds, from high-street bars to food-led rural pubs."
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 Rebecca.weller@wrbm.com.
