NEWS OF THE BREWS
Batemans
Lincolnshire-based Batemans has unveiled two heart-shaped pump clips to get licensees and customers in the mood for Valentine's Day.
Available in black and red respectively, the newly launched clips for flagship ales XXXB (Triple XB) and XB are designed to get the beer-lovers hearts' pumping. Both clips carry the language of love with lipstick kisses and star imagery.
Batemans marketing director Jaclyn Bateman said: "With the new Valentine pump clips we expect Cupid's arrow to pull a few extra heart strings this February. XXXB (Triple XB) is a superb strong bitter with an abv of 4.8% and is coupled with the well-balanced and distinctive 3.7% abv XB."
Meanwhile, Batemans' popular 4.5% abv Hooker will be available on cask throughout the Six Nations rugby tournament in February and March.
Hydes
Manchester-based Hydes has announced its craft ales for 2008 with each clip featuring members of the bird and animal kingdoms in different forms.
First up is magician's rabbit Harem Scarem, a copper-coloured 4.7% abv beer
with a slightly floral taste.
It will be available until the end
of February before being replaced by Trojan Horse. Other beers in the "creature comforts" list are: Eager Beaver; Bells & Whistles; Owd Bill, and Mumbo Jumbo.
Hydes marketing director David Safiruddin said: "Hydes has built a great reputation for its quirky, unusual craft ales, which seem to have captured the imagination of beer drinkers nationwide as our sales are still growing by more than 20% year-on-year."
Hydes has also annouced a 15% increase in sales year on year of its premium beer, Jekyll's Gold.
Frederic Robinson
Stockport-based Frederic Robinson is launching a new range of five seasonal beers throughout the year.
The brewer claims that each of the beers will be distinctively different and brewed specifically to suit its season of availability.
The first of the seasonal beers is Tempus Fugit,
a 4.2% abv chestnut-brown premium ale with aromas of sweet malt and oats. It will be available in February and March.
The beers will be available to the 400-plus pubs in Robinson's estate, which ranges from the Lake District to Staffordshire and
from North Wales to the Peak District. The beers will
also be available to the drinks trade nationally through a network of wholesalers.
