M&B increases non-alcoholic beer range with Big Drop

By Gary Lloyd

- Last updated on GMT

More options at the bar: selected M&B pubs are serving Big Drop's Paradiso Citra IPA
More options at the bar: selected M&B pubs are serving Big Drop's Paradiso Citra IPA

Related tags Multi-site pub operators Pubco + head office Beer Craft beer Low to no Tenanted + leased

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) pubs will be serving a greater range of alcohol-free beer in January after a trial with craft brewer Big Drop has been agreed.

Big Drop is already sold in bottles across much of the M&B estate, while 43 venues – in locations such as London, Bournemouth, Bristol, Oxford, Leeds and Newcastle – now also have Big Drop's 0.5% ABV Paradiso Citra IPA on tap. This takes the total number of places in the UK where Big Drop supplies kegs to more than 200 for the first time. 

Big Drop co-founder and chief executive Rob Fink said: “It may be a popular month for abstaining from booze but that needn't mean abstaining from pubs. This year, alcohol-free on draught will become the norm all year round and we’re 100% focused on making sure those ordering one will have a beer so good they won’t miss the alcohol.”

Abstainers leading groups

Fink previously told The Morning Advertiser​ Big Drop’s ethos is to make a great-tasting beer that happens to be alcohol-free.

He explained: “We don't remove the alcohol from our beer, we just brew it to 0.5% ABV. I think that's what stands us in good stead as against alcoholic brands that are bringing out alcohol-free versions of their iconic drinks.”

Fink added people are drinking less alcohol and they want healthy options. He cited pubs with vegan options on the menu – something that would never have happened 20 years ago – saying vegans lead a group when looking for a place that serves suitable food, and now those wanting non-alcoholic drinks are doing the same.

He added: “People need to be reminded they can pop into a pub and you’ve got Big Drop beer on draught you can have a few beers and a burger. It seems to me that if you've got a month in the year where a decent chunk of the population is not drinking alcohol, it would be sensible to give those people a reason to come to your venue. And that would be great-tasting alcohol-free options, including beers.”

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