Zia Lucia and Laine Brew collab, Camden Town revives Piña Lager, rum releases from Old J and Upbeat

Wimbledon Brewery launches Wimbledon Garden Gin

After creating a range of real ales, beers and wine, Wimbledon Brewery has now turned its hands to gin with the release of 43% ABV Wimbledon Garden Gin.  

Made in small batches, this premium dry gin features a selection of botanicals including, gorse and heather – which grow in abundance on Wimbledon Common – liquorice, lemon, cascade hops and honey from local bees. 

“We are incredibly excited to bring Wimbledon Gin to market. It’s something the team have been working on for a very long time and it’s great to finally see it on shelves,” Mark Gordon, founder of Wimbledon Brewery, said. 

“We know that gin is a very competitive market, but we’d like to think we bring something different by being quintessentially English, not to mention local to many. In fact, recent data released by Barclaycard, shows that consumer spending in local food and drink specialists is up by 30%, which shows that now is a brilliant time to be introducing our Wimbledon Garden Gin.”

Zia Lucia and Laine Brew Co create Birra Cabriole

Inspired by the team behind London pizzeria Zia Lucia’s love of Southern Italy's coastline, unfiltered 4.6% ABV lager Birra Cabriole has been created in tandem with Brighton brewery, Laine Brew Co. 

The beers have been designed to complement each of the four different pizza and pasta doughs, served at Zia Lucia and sister restaurant Berto. 

"Gianluca and Claudio wanted to create a lager that both complemented their food perfectly and captured the essence of Italy in an original yet authentic way. Their enthusiasm and determination to achieve this has been a pleasure to experience," Gavin George, CEO of Laine Pub Company, said.

Ron Santiago de Cuba relaunches across Europe and Cuba  

Ron Santiago de Cuba, a premium Cuban rum produced by Corporación Cuba Ron and distributed by the joint venture created back in 2019 between a European subsidiary of Diageo and Corporación Cuba Ron, is to relaunch four variants across Europe and Cuba.

Carta Blanca, Extra Añejo 11-year-old and Extra Añejo 12-year-old, will be available in Germany and Italy from June, in Great Britain during the summer and other European countries in autumn.

A new Añejo variant will be relaunched later this year in time for Christmas. 

Ortensia Di Gregorio, global marketing director for Ron Santiago de Cuba said: “We are delighted to relaunch Ron Santiago de Cuba. We have introduced a fresh, new packaging design which seamlessly merges tradition with modernity. The vibrant colour palette will ensure the brand has a strong presence within the ever-growing and innovative premium rum segment.”

Dayalan Nayager, managing director of Diageo Great Britain added: “We believe the premium rum segment provides a brilliant opportunity for Ron Santiago de Cuba.  

“I am excited by growing a brand with such a unique heritage and strong Cuban reputation and I look forward to it becoming a market leading rum in the near future.”

Upbeat Spirits launches 8Track Rum

Upbeat Spirits, a new independent drinks company based in Cornwall, has unveiled a new offering into the UK rum category with the launch of 37.5% ABV 8Track.  

Made from Guyana and smooth eight-year-old vintage Barbados rums, the bespoke blend is infused with sustainably sourced Seville oranges, vanilla, cloves, ginger and cinnamon.

Camden Town Brewery brings back Piña Lager  

Brewed with Sabro & Sultana hops, which gives Piña its coconut, lime and juicy pineapple flavours, Camden Town Brewery’s relaunched Piña Lager returns with an exclusive can design by illustrator Jasmin Sehra showcasing 80s graphics and bold typography.

Zoe Wulfsohn-Dunkley, head of marketing at Camden Town Brewery said: “After the success from last year, we’re extremely excited to bring back our Piña Lager for summer 2021. 

“Our small batch and innovative Arch 55 series are always such a hit with beer lovers and who wouldn’t love a fresh, never pasteurised lager with a tropical twist? 

“We’re a huge fan of Jasmin’s work, so it’s great to have her as our 2021 seasonal illustrator working on lots of the fun projects we have coming up. Jasmin brought our tropical Piña recipe to life, adding punchy colours and summery illustrations for a beer that looks as good as it tastes.”  

Old J unveils Pineapple Rum to celebrate International Pineapple Day

Drinks maker Old J has unveiled a new addition to its range of six premium rums – Spiced, Gold, Dark, Silver, Cherry, Tiki Fire – in time for International Pineapple Day on 27 June. 

Old J Pineapple infuses the brand’s blend of 11 flavours and spices into a Caribbean rum before adding notes of sweet pineapple and Old J’s vanilla hints. 

Nic Ponticakis, brand manager for Old J Spiced Rum commented: “The Covid pandemic has affected everyone and every industry – and none more so than the drinks industry.

“In order to remain competitive, we used the closure of trade as an opportunity to really delve into consumer trends and patterns based on what was happening in the off-trade, and anticipated how this would then be replicated in the on-trade when hospitality opened back up.

“Along with premiumisation, cocktail culture has become perhaps more popular than ever; with consumers on the hunt for new and innovative flavours. And now that hospitality venues are reopening, we should expect to see more of the same amongst on-trade.

“Flavoured and spiced rums are driving the market currently,” he continued. “The Old J motto has always been to reject the humdrum and rediscover rum, and Old J Pineapple was the obvious choice for our next innovative flavour. 

“Not only does it offer drinkers an exciting option as a cocktail base, it’s a proven summer hit and will no doubt signal the start of the new season and gentle nudge back to normality.”