New brews from Erdinger, Salcombe Brewery and Northern Monk, spirits from Speciality Brands, Glen Grant and Sheep's
Erdinger Alkoholfrei Grapefruit wheat beer from bursts into the UK
Bavarian wheat beer specialist Erdinger Weissbräu is enhancing its alcohol free range with the addition of a refreshing grapefruit alternative alongside the established Erdinger Alkoholfrei.
A combination of traditional wheat beer and grapefruit juice, Erdinger Alkoholfrei Grapefruit launches through Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company for trade and online for consumers through specialist beer retailer beerhunter.co.uk.
The slightly bitter wheat beer, flavoured with grapefruit juice, is made of natural ingredients and gives a refreshingly tangy taste that matches the intensive aromas of freshly cut grapefruit with subtle malt notes in the background.
Peter Gowans, country manager for Erdinger Weissbräu, said: “Erdinger Alkoholfrei has an established presence as a thirst-quenching alternative for those who make conscious decisions to cut their alcohol consumption but still appreciate a tasty beer.
"The new Erdinger Alkoholfrei Grapefruit gives an extra dimension that appeals to anyone who wants a twist to their beer through the tangy taste of grapefruit juice.”
The beer is isotonic, has only 25 calories per 100ml and contains vitamins B9, B12 and C, which promote the normal functioning of the body’s immune system.
It is available in 330ml bottles and distributed through Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company.
Speciality Brands brings collection of new rums to UK
Speciality Brands, the drinks agency, has brought a collection of new rums to the UK, including Jamaican Hampden’s Rum Fire and 2010 LROK, Grenadian Rivers Royale and Neisson from Martinique join Diplomático, Black Tot, Veritas, Clairin and Smith & Cross. Renegade rum will also be available in the autumn.
Speciality Brands said it is capitalising on the current rum revival as the category continues to draw in consumers from other types of spirits.
Chris Seale, managing director of Speciality Brands, said: “Rum is a category at the very core of our portfolio and for the last decade we’ve been focused on offering a variety of premium brands with strong provenance and great stories to tell. It’s really satisfying to see the current enthusiasm surrounding rum so it’s a perfect time to be bringing these iconic Caribbean spirits to the market”.
Salcombe Brewery launches new session lager
Salcombe Brewery has launched of Breeze (4.0% ABV), a new session lager available in 330ml cans. Breeze is being launched in a canned format, following the brewery’s new Salcombe Pilsner, the first of their beers to be produced in this format
Head brewer Sam Beaman said: “We are thrilled with the latest addition to our established range of award-winning beers. We have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating a session lager that will live up to the expectations of our rapidly growing fan base and we are confident that they won’t be disappointed.”
Breeze is brewed using two contrasting British hops, Jester and Boadicea.
Breeze is available in 330ml cans and will also be available on tap in a host of hospitality venues. It joins the Salcombe Brewery Co. Discovery range, which includes Sun Drop, Island Street Porter, Salcombe Pale Ale, Ocean Cider and the recently launched Salcombe Pilsner. Salcombe Pale Ale and Island Street Porter have just been made available in the new 330ml can format to join Salcombe Pilsner and Breeze in the canned range.
Signature Brew re-releases Passions and C-Sharp
Signature Brew has re-released two beer Passions (5% ABV), which is a Passion Fruit New England pale ale, now in a 440ml can, and Sicilian Lemon & Citra Sour, C-Sharp (4.5% ABV).
Passions is an over-hopped, hazy, fruity beer with the base formed from a New England pale, with lots of oats and wheat, a huge tropical aroma and a golden-yellow appearance. The beer is described as being “packed with sweet tropical tones & low bitterness”, followed by a deliciously sharp finish.
C-Sharp is a refreshing sour, brewed with real Sicilian lemons and Citra hops. Its slightly hazy, yellow appearance is described as being “matched by an aroma of lemon meringue, with hints of lime and elderflower".
Northern Monk teams up with Ronseal to create a beer that “Does Exactly What It Says on the Tin”
Northern Monk is partnering with Ronseal on a beer release inspired by the iconic brand.
The Leeds-based brewery has created two craft beers, representing the brands’ shared ethos of simplicity and honesty – summed up by Ronseal’s ‘Does What It Says on the Tin’ ethos - simple, straightforward, honest beer.
Released in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, the limited-edition drinks feature Ronseal-inspired packaging, and have even been colour matched with real-life Ronseal Fence Life colours - ‘Medium Oak’ is a 4.5% Best Bitter, while ‘Harvest Gold’ is, naturally a Saison, coming in at 5.8% ABV.
Northern Monk creative lead, Thom Archer, said: “The collaboration isn’t as unusual as it might seem at first.
"With the craft beer industry growing so quickly in recent years, it’s gained a bit of a reputation for being a little bit silly in the pursuit of the new – and we’re definitely no stranger to the occasional daft experiment at Northern Monk.”
Glen Grant distillery launches 15-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch whisky
The Glen Grant distillery has released a 15-year old single malt Scotch whisky.
Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm, who this year has celebrated 60 years in the industry, crafted the 15-year-old single malt Scotch whisky at 50% ABV ‘Batch Strength’.
Matured in hand-selected, first-fill ex-bourbon casks, the whisky’s flavour is further enhanced by non-chill filtration for a fuller texture.
The Glen Grant revealed a new packaging design revealed earlier this year, and the upcoming launch of the exclusive and rare 60 Year-Old anniversary expression.
The Glen Grant hails from Rothes in Scotland’s premier whisky producing region, Speyside. Originally founded by brothers John and James Grant in 1840, the distillery was inherited in 1872 by John’s nephew, James “The Major” Grant. “
Sheep’s Milk Vodka launches to UK
Black Lion Vodka, a triple distilled and filtered vodka made from sheep’s milk is to target the UK market.
The Craft Drink Co, founded by Tim and Tanya Spittle, at their Cotswold farm near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, has been made from milk from their flock of Cotswold Black Lion sheep; a cross of the rare Valais Blacknose breed from the Alps, and the Cotswold born milk sheep.
Taking the milk from this flock, local cheesemakers separate and keep the curd leaving behind the by-product, which is whey. Tim and Tanya deliver this filtered whey to their Cotswold-based distiller. The vodka bottled at 40% ABV.
Burleighs Gin enters RTD market
Burleighs Gin, the Leicestershire-based distillery, has ventured into the ready-to-drink (RTD) category with two new flavours – its Signature Gin and Tonic and Pink Edition Gin and Tonic. Each with an ABV of 6%.
The RTDs have been created to respond to the growing demand for pre-mixed alcoholic drinks in a convenient format.
Sam Watson, commercial director at Burleighs Gin said of the new additions to the range: “Convenience has been the fastest growing channel for the UK Flavoured Alcoholic Beverage category and it’s no surprise that the ready-to-drink category has become a popular area for innovation.
Head distiller, Charlie Hendon said: “The gin and tonic cans are a new venture for Burleighs, providing an exciting opportunity for the team.
“Blending the perfect tonic to each of these very popular gins has created a premium drink which we hope our consumers will really enjoy.”
Spirited Union Distillery launches four canned cocktails
The Spirited Union Distillery in Amsterdam, has launched four botanical rum canned cocktails.
The cocktails are 100% spirit-based, made with no artificial preservatives, sweeteners or colouring, and have been created using Spirited Union’s botanical rums.
Over the course of the pandemic, The Spirited Union Distillery created their own premium mixers to be used in bottled and canned cocktails, using fresh Ginger and Kola nut syrups to create their own Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer and Kola.
Spirited Union founder, Ruben Maduro said: “With our Botanical Rum range at their heart, we’ve spent the best part of a year developing a range of canned cocktails that unite natural botanical extracts and juices with single-origin rums without the use of artificial preservatives, sweeteners, or colours. In other words, we’ve created a range of canned cocktails that are 100% spirit-based 100% natural, with less sugar and full of flavour."
