Shepherd Neame launches first low-alcohol beer, Brothers unveils new flavour duo

Shepherd Neame unveils Noughty Bear 0.5% IPA 

Kent-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has launched its first low alcohol beer – Noughty Bear 0.5% IPA, a new addition to its contemporary Bear Island range. 

The refreshing, light golden beer, combines the pine and spice notes of Challenger hops from the UK, with the tropical fruit and citrus flavours of Amarillo, Cascade and Citra hops from the US.

In addition to its low alcohol content, Noughty Bear also has just 70 calories and less than 1g of sugar per 330ml bottle.

“With the recent surge in demand for no/low alcohol beers, as Britain’s oldest brewer we decided it was time for us to use our brewing expertise to create our own,” head brewer Mike Unsworth said. 

“It was important to us to ensure any low alcohol product upheld our usual high standards, and we are really pleased with the result. 

“We are confident we have delivered a low alcohol alternative that still tastes like a quality beer.”

Brothers Cider launches two new flavours

Fruit cider brand Brothers Cider has expanded its range with the addition of two new flavours Pink Grapefruit and Honeycomb as well as reviving its Cloudy Lemon variant due to popular demand. 

Each of the new additions are gluten free, vegan friendly and at 4% ABV.

“We know there is a huge desire from fruit cider drinkers for new and interesting flavours, therefore we are confident that our two new and original flavours Pink Grapefruit and Honeycomb, will not only excite our existing customers but bring in new ones as well,” Nicola Randall, senior marketing manager at Brothers said. 

“As part of our flavour strategy for 2021 and as a leader in innovation within the category, we are also excited about the return of Cloudy Lemon, which was the industry’s first Lemon flavoured cider. We faced a huge demand from our customers to bring it back and we listened.”

The launch of the new variants comes off the back of a successful year for Brothers’ experimental cider flavours with sales of its Toffee Apple up 20% and Rhubarb & Custard up 34%. 

“We are delighted Brothers maintained its forward momentum during 2020 as the UK’s fastest growing premium mainstream cider brand,” Marc Charles, global commercial director added. “We also extended our presence internationally by growing in Asia and moving into Canada. 

“In 2021, as one of the UK’s leading cider and drinks producers, our focus and commitment is to continue adding value for consumers through these creative launches and provide the highest levels of service, quality and production capability for our customers”.

Braybrooke Beer announces spring beer launches 

Braybrooke Beer Co. has unveiled a series of new additions to their collection of spring serves with three types of Pilsner, a Dunkel and a Baltic Porter, to join the Grand Gose, as well as Braybrooke’s celebrated signature range.

Started by Luke Wilson and Cameron Emirali of London restaurant 10 Greek Street in tandem with Nick Trower of Biercraft, Braybrooke Beer Co. prides itself on creating lagers in the heart of British countryside to exacting German principles.

The three Pilsner specials are the Spalt Select, the Aurum, and the Diamant hops, with the latter two having never been used in the UK before. 

What’s more, the recently launched Dunkel is an homage to Munich malt, sourced from Franconia, Germany, while the Baltic Porter has seen Braybrooke collaborate with Explore Chocolate and Jute Coffee for their strongest beer to date, at 7.4%. 

Ten Locks bring Belgium’s first vodka to UK drinks trade 

Manchester-based drinks firm Ten Locks has added Belgium’s first vodka brand, Mary White, to its portfolio. 

The spirit celebrates the legacy of Mary White, the uncrowned queen of New York bootleggers who the drinks maker claims turned the male-dominated world of alcohol production in the Prohibition era on its head.  

Becky Davies, head of commercial at Ten Locks, said: “As a category, vodka is confirmed to be even bigger business in the years ahead. 

“The trade has an incredible opportunity here if they back brands that bring new styles to the fore, while also quenching consumer appetite for drinks that bring more to the table than solely incredible liquid. 

“Mary White Vodka sits in this sweet spot. It’s an exceptional example of a brand with true distinction, enabling our customers to connect with consumers via a newer style of vodka, while appealing to them directly with a beautiful proposition.”

Mary White Vodka joins Nusa Caña, Applewood Gin, West Cork Irish Whiskey, Salford Rum, Diablesse Rum, Banhez Mezcal and El Tequileño in Ten Locks’ portfolio of purpose-led, progressive brands.

“We predict next year to be quite defining for vodka, and very much expect it to bite back at gin, as consumers branch out into other white spirits,” Davies added. 

“Mary White is positioned to be a driving force of this momentum and open up the category to even more consumers. 

The brand has successfully united tradition and modernity in one beautiful, luxury expression that is truly innovative. 

“We’re proud to be the first company to bring Mary White to the UK and believe it has huge potential – we very much expect the trade and consumers to get behind it.”

Bottega launches new non-alcoholic spirit

The Bottega company winery and distillery has launched Bottega 0, a new non-alcoholic sparkling drink produced by the company’s winery in Bibano di Godega, Italy, and designed to mirror its rosé collection.

The new pour was created with the aim of meeting the needs of those who, for health or religious reasons, do not consume alcoholic beverages, according to Bottega.

“It lends itself to well-established ways of consumption and to celebrating the ritual of the toast, thanks to the timeless charm of the bubbles,” according to the drinks maker. “The skilful dosage of carbon dioxide gives the drink freshness, liveliness and character, despite its zero-alcohol content.

New Shanky's Whip whiskey-based liqueur launches in the UK

Spirit importer Biggar and Leith has launched 33% ABV whiskey-based liqueur, Shanky’s Whip, in the UK.  

The smooth, black liqueur is based on a combination of Irish spirits and aged pot still whiskey, blended with the natural flavour of vanilla and infused with caramel. 

Distilled in County Cavan in Ireland and blended and bottled by Shanky & Shireman under bond in Ireland, Shanky’s Whip is available to purchase via wholesale across the UK from today via Craftwork.

Commenting on the launch, founder and CEO of Biggar and Leith, Elwyn Gladstone, said: “We’re excited to be bringing something brand new to the spirits category. 

“Shanky’s Whip is an easy drinking, black, smooth Irish Whiskey liqueur that we think brings fun to the world of spirits. 

“When we discovered Shanky’s Whip we couldn’t believe something so creamy, didn’t actually have any cream in it. Creamy smooth, like stout, and without the burn of whiskey.”