Tennent’s releases stout offer
Scottish beer brand Tennent’s has announced the launch of Tennent’s Stout, a rich dark beer inspired by centuries of brewing heritage.
Brewed to 4% ABV, Tennent’s Stout delivers notes of chocolate, liquorice, treacle and coffee alongside a moderate bitterness and smooth, creamy finish.
While the brand has become synonymous with lager, stout was the cornerstone of Tennent’s with the very first batch brewed at Glasgow’s Wellpark Brewery in 1740, which was then exported across the globe in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tennent’s still brews Export Stout for markets overseas but as demand for darker beers continue to grow, the brand, distributed by C&C Group, is expanding its portfolio across the on-trade in the UK.
The launch of Tennent’s Stout follows the release of Tennent’s Tops, a limited edition citrusy flavoured lager, and Tennent’s Bavarian Pilsner, which has been permanently added to its range following strong consumer demand.
Available to order now from Tennent’s Direct, Tennent’s Stout will be rolling out across on trade venues later this month.
Commenting on the launch, senior brand manager Hazel Alexander said: “With such a rich heritage brewing stout it was only right we created our own brew for people on home soil to enjoy.
“The launch of Tennent’s Stout is not only a special moment for us, as we honour our brewing roots, but also for our customers who we know have huge collective pride in where they are from and what they choose to drink.”
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Westons expands Stowford Press portfolio
Westons Cider has introduced its latest innovation, Sweet Apple cider (3.4% ABV), to the on-trade following a successful retail launch earlier this year.
Described as a “delicately sparkling” pale gold cider with fresh notes of pressed English apple, soft pear and a hint of elderflower.
Early on-trade testing demonstrated strong potential, with more than two-thirds of cider drinkers intendig to purchase after sampling, with particularly strong appeal among younger female drinkers, Westons research found.
Head of marketing and strategy Sally McKinnon said: “Drinkers are making more considered choices about when and how much they drink, but that doesn’t mean they want to compromise on flavour or the experience of having a drink with friends.
“Stowford Press Sweet Apple gives operators something genuinely different to add to their cider range - a sweeter, accessible cider at a lower ABV, backed by the provenance, quality and heritage of Stowford Press.”
Stowford Press is made using traditional cider apple varieties sourced within a 50-mile radius of Westons’ Herefordshire mill, combining traditional cider making techniques with contemporary style without.
Stowford Press Sweet Apple is now available through on-trade routes to market and wholesalers.
Vagabond presses ahead with first vintage in new Urban Winery
Self-pour wine bar operator Vagabond has commenced the inaugural harvest at its new Urban Winery in London’s Canada Water.
Vagabond has installed new tanks and taken delivery of the first 16 tonnes of grapes from vineyards across the south of England as the harvest season swings into action.
Once bottled, all wines produced will be available for guests to try by the glass at all of Vagabond’s wine bars in London, Birmingham and its newest venue in Brighton, which is due to open later this autumn.
Vagabond’s Canada Water location is the largest Urban Winery in the UK, with capacity to produce up to 100,000 bottles every year.
The site officially opened in December 2025, following a significant investment from Vagabond owner Majestic Wine Group and backing from Fortress Investment Group.
Vagabond first started making wine in a small area within its Battersea Power Station bar, producing its first vintage in 2017.
The first harvest in the new state-of-the-art facility marks an exciting new chapter for the brand and the story of its Urban Winery.
Vagabond winemaker Jose Quintana said: “The start of harvest is always one of the most exciting moments of the year, but even more so this autumn as we bring grapes grown across the South of England into our new Urban Winery for the first time.
“We’re working with some exceptional fruit again this year and the grapes are really popping with flavour. We can’t wait to create even more incredible wines for our guests to enjoy – not just here in Canada Water, but across all of our Vagabond bars.”
Damm brings alcohol-free Old Speckled Hen to on-trade
Damm UK is launching an alcohol-free version of Old Speckled Hen, with the new beer set to roll out across Greene King pubs nationally and other venues.
Old Speckled Hen ZERO is a 0.0% ABV variant of the premium ale brand and marks the first major innovation since Damm acquired the Old Speckled Hen family of brands from Greene King earlier this year.
The beer has been developed in response to growing demand for no and low alcohol drinks, as well as the trend for “zebra striping”. Read more here.
Vocation releases new Life & Death expression
West Yorkshire-based brewer Vocation is expanding its flagship Life & Death brand with the launch of Life & Death Session IPA (4.2% ABV).
The new IPA has been brewed to bring the same hop-forward character of Life & Death Classic IPA (6.5% ABV), delivering the brand’s signature vibrant citrus, tropical fruit and pine notes in a more sessionable format.
Vocation head of marketing Chris Mitchell said: “As the first permanent draught extension, Life & Death Session IPA marks the next evolution of our award-winning Life & Death brand.
“We’ve created a bold, flavour-first Session IPA that gives pubs and bars a premium beer, backed by the reputation and demand of an established brand.”
The launch will be supported with premium branded glassware, bar runners and a new tap handle designed to maximise visibility at the point of purchase.
Life & Death Session IPA is available in 30L and 50L kegs directly from Vocation Brewery and through selected regional and national wholesalers.
Heineken unveils limited-edition Old Mout Cider flavour
Heineken UK has launched a new limited-edition flavour for its premium Old Mout Cider brand.
A 4% ABV winter flavour, Old Mout Cider Spiced Clementine & Cranberry has been designed to help operators tap into demand for premium seasonal serves and drive sales throughout the autumn and winter months.
Combining clementine, cranberry and warming spice notes, the cider can be served chilled over ice or gently heated and served as a mulled cider, giving venues flexibility across different drinking occasions.
It will be available in 500ml bottles directly from Heineken UK’s eazle platform and participating wholesale partners from Monday 7 September until February 2027. Read more here.
Curry Smugglers develops Desi lagers
Curry Smugglers may be best known for its Desi-style pub snacks based on south Asian street food but the company has launched a couple of beers.
Founders Steve and Rosie Dass now have Desi Lager in two variants – Rice Lager at 4.2% ABV and Mango Mirchi 0.5% ABV.
Rice was a chief ingredient in making “crisp, refreshing beers made for our warmer climate”.
Meanwhile, Mango Murchi is a non-alcoholic basmati rice beer that has Alphonso mangoes and Habanero chillies as its crisp yet spicy ‘hero’ ingredients, pairing sweet juicy undertones with a cheeky chill kick.
Hall & Woodhouse unveils beer collaboration with James May
Dorset-based family brewer and pub company, Hall & Woodhouse, has developed a brand-new session beer, the Spanner, in collaboration with former Top Gear host and pub owner James May.
The Spanner is a sessionable 3.8% ABV traditional cask ale brewed using British ingredients,
Brewed using a combination of pale, crystal, and amber malts alongside Challenger, Harlequin, and Olicana hops to deliver a moreish biscuit mouthfeel and light auburn colour.
Commenting on the launch, May said: James said: “The Spanner isn’t trying to be clever. It has a single purpose; to be a good, reliable British ale that makes you want to stay in the pub for another, and another.
“If you want a beer that does more than this, you’re probably asking too much of it.”
The Spanner launched into all Hall & Woodhouse managed pubs and in James May’s pub, the Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, on Monday 7 September.
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