S&N to offer Heineken brands by late summer

Licensees will start to see Scottish & Newcastle UK offering Heineken brands by the end of the summer.

That is according to Jeremy Blood, who has been confirmed as UK boss of S&NUK in the wake of the completion of the takeover by the Dutch brewer.

He said: "One obvious change for pubs is that they will be able to stock the Heineken portfolio of brands, not overnight but probably by the end of the summer."​

Blood also insisted that Heineken would be fully committed to Kronenbourg, for which is has a 50-year licence under the joint takeover deal with Carlsberg.

The fundamental strategy is: what will customers want more of?​Jeremy BloodS&NUK

"It's ours for 50 years and we need to be able to offer a portfolio of premium lagers. ​

"Stella Artois is the market leader in premium lager and the best way for us to grow is by having a distinctive portfolio of products."

Jewel in the crown​

Last week, Punch boss Giles Thorley claimed it was "ridiculous"​ that Heineken had taken a licence of Kronenbourg because it would be bound to favour its own beer products.

Blood said: "Where Giles is right is that Heineken is the jewel in the crown. ​

"But a lot of money has been paid for a 50-year licence on Kronenbourg and we really want to make it work."

He also pointed out that Heineken wasn't suitable every on-trade outlet because it was more expensive than Kronenbourg.

Caledonian​

Blood also provided more insight into the reasoning behind the acquisition of Caledonian Brewery.

He said the decision was based on a belief that the company's brands, like Deuchars IPA, offered "great long-term opportunity". ​

He added: "The fundamental strategy is: what will customers want more of?"​

Blood added that he was an admirer of niche, craft brewer like Samuel Adams and thought Caledonian held comparison.