BrewDog brings US line-up to UK
BrewDog is introducing 24 American craft beers to the UK on-trade in its first major beer launch since being taken over by Tilray Brands.
Appearing exclusively at the Scottish pub operators and brewers’ own venues this week, the new brews will then be introduced across both on and off-trade channels.
The line-up includes beers from a number of established American craft brewers, including Sweetwater Brewing Company IPAs and lagers and Barrel Brewing Co.’s West Coast, hazy and double IPAs alongside a lager.
Other breweries in the portfolio include Montauk Brewing Co., Shock Top, Terrapin Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Co., and Alpine Beer Company, covering styles from pilsners and lagers through to stronger double IPAs.
A non-alcoholic option from Runner’s High Brewing Company is also included.
The launch reflects Tilray’s wider strategy to build an international drinks portfolio and use established hospitality networks to introduce American craft beer to new markets in the UK, starting with the on-trade.
Stella unveils limited-edition flavour
Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I has announced the launch of a new fruity variant of Stella Artois.
Stella Artois will unveil its new Strawberries & Cream beer at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.
Inspired by Wimbledon’s classic pairing of strawberries and cream, the new brew reimagines the tradition in beer form.
The 3.4% ABV blush-pink beer is said to deliver a fresh strawberry aroma with smooth, berry-led flavours on the palate, topped with a velvety, nitro-infused foam designed to echo the richness of fresh cream.
Best served chilled over ice and garnished with a fresh strawberry, it balances delicate summer sweetness with a crisp, refreshing finish. Read more here.
Brixton releases fruit-flavoured lager
Heineken-owned Brixton Brewery has introduced a new fruit-flavoured lager, Electric Tropical Lager (4% ABV).
The new brew has been designed to tap into growing desire for flavoured lager in the on-trade.
Inspired by the fruit stalls of Brixton’s Electric Avenue, the recipe combines the crisp taste of lager with a blend of tropical flavours including mango, pineapple and a hint of ginger with no artificial sweeteners used.
Electric Tropical Lager is available to order directly through Brixton Brewery and Heineken.
A full bar support package is available to all operators including bespoke glassware, PoS including t-shirts, beer mats and bar runners.
Commenting on the launch, Brixton Brewery co-founder Jez Galaun said: “We wanted a fruit-flavoured beer in our range, but like everything we do, it needed to be authentically Brixton.
“We played around with different flavour combinations inspired by the tropical fruits from the market stalls on Brixton’s famous Electric Avenue and brewed up a unique, very Brixton blend that drinkers love.”
Erdinger expands UK footprint
Erdinger Weissbräu has introduced its Brauhaus Helles (5.1%) to the wider UK on-trade after trialling it in pubs across the north west.
The Bavarian lager is available for operators to order now in 500ml bottles through its import and distribution partner Carlsberg Britvic.
Described as having a well-rounded body with gentle spiced malted barley notes, the pale brew is made using top-quality ingredients in strict accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516.
Erdinger UK manager Peter Gowans said: “Erdinger Brauhaus Helles is everything you’d expect from a true Bavarian lager and is an ideal refreshing drink for the long, hot summer that we’ve all got our hopes pinned on.”
Exeter Brewery launches low alcohol stout
Devon-based Exeter Brewery has unveiled a new low alcohol version of its award-winning Darkness Stout.
The new beer, Darkness Low, is a 0.5% stout based on the brewery’s full-bodied 5.1% brew.
It boasts notes of roasted coffee, chocolate and liquorice alongside a smooth smokiness more commonly associated with higher strength dark beers.
The launch reflects fast-growing demand for full flavour alternatives with lower strength.
Exeter Brewery managing director Alan Collyer said: “We wanted to create something that still felt like a proper stout rather than a compromise.”
He added: “The response has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to adding further low ABV products in the future.”
Darkness Low is available now through selected retailers and direct from the brewery.
Kentish Pip refreshes core cider range
Independent drinks producer Kentish Pip has introduced a complete brand refresh alongside a new range of core ciders to mark its 10th anniversary.
Founded and operated at Woolton Farm near Canterbury, Kentish Pip’s new range has been made from 100% English apples.
The new range features Grafter, a 4.2% crisp apple cider; Roselle, a 3.4% hibiscus and raspberry cider and Skylark, a 5.5% premium reserve cider.
All variants are available to the on-trade in 30L and 50L Steel Kegs, 30L Unikegs, 20L Full-Colour Bag-In-Boxes, 500ml and 330ml bottle and 440ml cans.
To compliment the new range, Kentish Pip has also stepped into the soft drinks market with a trio of new sparkling apple sodas.
Built on a base of sparkling Kentish apple juice, the all-natural sodas contain no artificial sweeteners.
The initial launch line-up includes three flavours, Kentish Apple; Hibiscus & Rose and Gooseberry & Elderflower.
Allsopp’s enters stout category
Burton-upon-Trent brewer Allsopp’s has entered the stout category with the launch of a nitro stout, Allsopp’s Stout.
The release marks the first permanent addition to the brewery’s core range since the historic brand was revived by Jamie Allsopp, a direct descendant of the founding family, in 2021.
The stout has been brewed in partnership with Leeds-based Kirkstall Brewery using a recipe informed by Allsopp’s surviving brewing ledgers – leather-bound volumes rediscovered during the company’s revival containing handwritten brewing records dating back centuries.
Designed as a nitro stout, the beer has a malt-forward profile with notes of cocoa, roasted coffee and bitter chocolate, finishing clean and dry. Brewed with Goldings hops, it is also vegan-friendly and bottled at 4.4% ABV.
“Allsopp’s first brewed stout was more than 100 years ago, so this was not about jumping on any bandwagon.
“Our ambition was to create a distinctly English stout with its own character, its own story, and one that puts English brewing’s prominence in the history of stout back in the spotlight,” Allsopp said.
After officially launching at Blue Stoops in Kensington, London, earlier this month, the brew is available now on draught at Blue Stoops and Latimer Bar & Kitchen, with a wider on-trade roll-out currently underway.
Isaac Cider’s new low alcohol sparkling cider
Dorset-based Isaac Cider has launched Weightless, a new lightly sparkling 0.5% cider aimed at the growing demand for premium low & no alcohol drinks across the on-trade.
Designed to deliver the flavour, structure and drinkability of traditional cider, while offering consumers a lighter option for more mindful drinking occasions, the cider has aromas of fresh orchard apple with a bright, clean palate balanced by a subtle touch of sweetness.
Weightless is available now through Inn Express and direct via the Isaac Cider website priced at £21.00 for a case of 6 bottles
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