Thatchers releases new cider exclusively for pubs

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New products: This month's round-up features BrewDog Distilling Co, Global Brands, CMBC and more

This month's round-up includes a new cider from Thatchers only available to pubs as well as new products from BrewDog Distilling Co, Global Brands, CMBC and more.

Thatchers unveils new cider exclusively for pubs

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Somerset-based family-run cidermaker Thatchers has unveiled its latest innovation, Juicy Apple (4% ABV), exclusively available to the on-trade.

Made using 100% renewable electricity from power generated by the 3,500 solar panels at the brand’s home on Myrtle Farm, the new variant offers sweet aromas of crunchy fresh apples with a hint of sour, taking its flavour from fermented and blended Katy and Jonagold apples.

Thatchers Juicy Apple is available to now, and the firm has pledged that every new installation will receive a bespoke, targeted, social media campaign to drive footfall to their venue. 

Fourth generation cidermaker at Thatchers, Martin Thatcher, said: “This brand-new cider, which began life in our Cider Barn range, reflects the demand from British consumers for a light, crisp cider that provides refreshment with a gentle bite.

“This easy-drinking cider is ideal for those discovering apple cider for the first time, and fits into our range alongside Gold, Haze, Blood Orange and Apple & Blackcurrant.

“At Thatchers we put as much care into looking after the environment as we do to creating great cider, so crafting ciders that are not only powered by sunshine, but as refreshing as a cool breeze on a warm summers day, is in our nature.”

To stock the new serve at your pub, contact Thatchers directly for prices. 

Global Brands enters Tequila market

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Debuting at Northern Restaurant and Bar event last month, Global Brands has entered the Tequila category with the launch of a new range, TAKE.

Compromising of 100% Blue Weber agave blanco Tequila and Tequila liqueurs, the portfolio has been created with the growing Tequila market in mind, which saw a 478% growth in the on-trade last year, according to Global Brands.

Global Brands marketing director Matt Bulcroft said: “I’m really excited to be able to bring TAKE to market.

“We’ve developed a brand that challenges perceptions of Tequila, with a fresh take on the category.

“Our new liqueurs offer a fantastic base for margaritas, as well as great tasting shots, without the need for salt and lime.”

The range comprises of three flavoured liqueurs: pineapple, jalapeño and pink grapefruit, all 34% ABV and available in a 70cl format at £29.99 RRP direct from Global Brands.

CMBC brings Brooklyn Brewery Stonewall IPA to the UK

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Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has expanded its portfolio with the release of Brooklyn Brewery’s Stonewall Inn IPA in the UK.

The UK introduction follows successful launches in European markets including Italy, France and Denmark. 

Made by Brooklyn Brewery in partnership with the Stonewall Inn bar in New York, the new hazy IPA, which is 4.3% ABV, offers citrus notes balanced with a subtle hop bitterness. 

The beer was first brewed in 2017 by Brooklyn brewmaster Garrett Oliver at the request of the owners of the Stonewall Inn, for which it was named and whose legacy it was created to celebrate.

In addition, the beer not only pays homage to the Stonewall Inn’s legacy, but also celebrates the 2017 launch of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI), a charity supporting LGBTQ+ communities globally.

This month, CMBC said it will honour the launch by hosting the Stonewall Inn owners, Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly, at an exclusive event in Shoreditch, London.

Ahead of the event, Brooklyn Brewery will be running a social media competition to give members of the public the opportunity to win an invitation to join the one-night-only celebration, with more details to be released in the coming weeks.

This beer’s UK introduction marks a “significant step” in CMBC’s mission to “further enrich” its diverse ale portfolio, which includes well-known brands such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright, the firm said.

CMBC director of marketing for ales and craft Jo Marshall said, “Introducing the Stonewall Inn IPA to the UK is a milestone moment for us.

“It’s more than just a beer; it’s a story, a legacy, and a testament to the craftmanship that goes into each sip.

“We’re thrilled to offer this remarkable IPA to UK drinkers and to celebrate the enduring spirit of The Stonewall Inn.”

For more information and prices contact CMBC.

Nirvana releases two new brews

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Alcohol-free brewer Nirvana has released two new lagers, a traditional Bavarian Hefeweizen (0.3% ABV) and a cloudy lemon lager (0.2% ABV).

Nirvana said the duo represented a “significant foray” by the brewery into the “most popular beer styles”, joining its award-winning Helles Lager.

The Cloudy Lemon Lager draws inspiration from the ‘radler’ beer tradition in southern Germany – mixing Nirvana’s Helles lager 50:50 with sparkling natural lemonade, resulting in a light refreshing beer with tart undertones.

Whereas the Bavarian Hefeweizen variant is a naturally cloudy wheat beer that pays homage to one of Germany’s most revered brewing styles, with its high percentage of wheat yeast offering a sweet and soft taste with hints of banana, cloves and spice.

Nirvana founder Becky Kean said: “We pride ourselves on having a great range of no and low brews - ones that are genuinely accessible and cater for the bulk of beer drinkers, as opposed to ones that are niche and challenging.

“Consequently, this pair builds on that approach and gives no/low drinkers more choice in the country’s biggest-selling style – light, super-refreshing lagers perfect for the warmer months.”

Both new brews are available direct from Nirvana in 500ml bottle format at RRP £4 each.

BrewDog Distilling Co launches new rum

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The distillery arm of Scottish operator and brewer, BrewDog, has launched DUO white rum, joining the ranges spiced and pineapple variants.

Made with molasses from the Caribbean, DUO White Rum offers flavours of pineapple and guava with caramel toffee and vanilla, best served over cubed ice and topped with cola and a squeeze of fresh lime.

BrewDog Distilling Co managing director Steven Kearsley said: “We have been making our white rum for a while now, as it’s used in our Wonderland canned mojitos.

“This is the first time we’ve bottled and released the liquid as its own standalone brand. We think white rum is somewhat untapped, and ours is a wonderful expression of how aromatic and flavourful this style of rum can be.

“Smooth and subtly complex, with notes of toffee and tropical fruits, DUO White will stop you in your tracks."

The 40% ABV award-winning spirit is available now direct from BrewDog Distilling Co in 700ml bottle format at RRP £25. 

Arkell's reveals new Nitro Best Bitter

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Arkell's Brewery has introduced its latest creation, Honest John, a 4% ABV Nitro Best Bitter named in honour of its founder John Arkell.

Honest John combines the unique soft texture of a cask conditioned ale with the morish, caramel-toffee flavours of a best bitter, all poured gently though a keg tap, using nitrogen to prolong the brews shelf life.

Arkell's head brewer Alex Arkell said: “Honest John was the name by which our founder was affectionately know locally. He was an innovator who embraced steam technology when building his brewhouse, at a time when steam was the new kid on the block You could call him the original steam punk.”

Pubs looking to stock Arkell's Honest John should contact the brewery directly for more information. 

Sharp's showcases new cask beer

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Sharp’s Brewery has introduced a new cask beer ahead of summer called Twin Coast Session Pale Ale.

The brewer, which is celebrating its 30th​ anniversary in 2024 and also produces Doombar, announced the beer was made available in on-trade venues up and down the country from Saturday 16 March.

The 3.9% ABV cask pale ale, inspired by the Twin Coast peninsula in Cornwall, is said to be “a crisp, bright and pale-gold ale with a citrus-hop aroma, giving it a refreshing, juicy taste, perfect for pale ale lovers who want a burst of hop from their pint”.

In addition, Sharp's said the serve compliments modern pub classics including mild curries, Cajun chicken burgers and loaded fries.

Sharp's Twin Coast fresh cask ale is available in 5 litre mini casks and 36 pint boxes direct from the brewery's webshop at RRP £29.99 and £69.99 respectively. Read more here.

Gosnells debuts new production style 

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Gosnells of London has moved away from producing mead, instead opting to debut a new serve called 'Nectars'.

The brand said the decision to stop producing mead and move into Nectars was as the old-fashioned connotations that go with mead were creating "barriers" to growth. 

Gosnells founder Tom Gosnell said: “With immediate effect, we have stopped producing mead.

“It’s not the economy nor the putative shortage of bees, it’s the name. We’ve realised recently the connotations that go with being ‘the world’s oldest drink’ have proved a barrier to getting new drinkers to grab their first pint of our delicious honey-based drinks.

"Nectars are what we now champion. They’re already head-to-head on the bar with Cider as they are sparkling, alcoholic and gluten-free, but the difference is that Nectars are made from high-quality honey instead of mass-produced fruit. In some instances, we will add fruit into the recipe, as with Gosnells Raspberry Hibiscus Nectar, which contains 67% less sugar than leading fruit ciders.”

Gosnells HAZY and Raspberry Hibiscus Nectars are now on sale by the pint and in cans in more than 40 London bars and are available now in 12x330ml can format at RRP £30 from the brand's webshop. 

  • I​​​​​​​f you have any new products being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images for​​​​​​​ potential inclusion to ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Rebecca.weller@wrbm.com. The Next round-up will be published on Thursday 2 May. Check out the previous round-up here​​.