S&N embraces Cyclops scheme

The Cyclops tasting notes scheme has been formally adopted by Scottish & Newcastle UK (S&N UK) for its 2007 Cellarman's Reserve.

The tasting guide has been developed by Leicester-based brewer Everards and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), and it provides consumers with an easier means of understanding the tastes and aromas of cask beer.

The Cellarman's Reserve Scheme offers S&N UK on-trade customers access to 36 cask ales from regional brewers across the UK.

Patrick Duddy, national accounts manager for S&N UK, said: "We've taken the decision to include Cyclops in our Cellarman's Reserve scheme as we believe it to be an easy-to-use, effective tool for barstaff and drinkers alike to choose and compare real ales. We will be encouraging all of our cask ale suppliers to adopt it."

David Bremner, head of marketing for Everards, said: "We're delighted with how Cyclops is rolling out throughout the industry and this endorsement by S&N UK will add further weight to it becoming a standard. And the new accreditation process will ensure the programme retains its credibility."

The decision by S&N UK follows the announcement last week that an accreditation process for Cyclops has been established by CAMRA and Everards in conjunction with other regional breweries.

"Previously, some tasting notes tended to be over-complicated, with long and flowery descriptions," added Bremner. "We believe Cyclops, with its symbols and concise descriptions, is much more user-friendly and is proving popular with cask ale fans."