Carlsberg UK and Marston’s announce £780m merger
Carlsberg’s UK and Marston’s PLC have announced a proposed deal to form a joint venture beer company in the UK, valued at £780m. Both companies will inject their brewing and distribution assets into the new venture. At completion, Carlsberg will pay up to £273m to Marston’s PLC, £34m of which will be a deferred contingent …
Covid-19 causes 82% drop in craft beer sales, according to SIBA
Results released from a survey of small independent breweries across the UK, undertaken by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), suggest that beer sales are down by 82% since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The survey, based on 282 SIBA members, reveals the devastating impact of the Covid-19 lockdown measures on the industry. Eight …
Relaunch for Purity Brewing’s Bunny Hop
Purity Brewing Co has relaunched its extra hopped pale ale Bunny Hop with a new recipe to appeal to increasingly health-conscious consumers. Bunny Hop is now available in cask without isinglass finings, changing its appearance from a light golden beer to a hazy pale ale that is both vegan-friendly and gluten-free. The strength stays at …
Black Sheep develops new keg beer
Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery is bringing “a taste of the new world” to British pubs and bars with the launch of its new keg beer, Black Sheep IPA. Inspired by innovators of the modern American IPA from the West Coast of the USA, the latest addition to the Black Sheep portfolio features a blend of …
Salcombe Brewery moves into the cider market
Salcombe Brewery Co has created a premium cider to complement its range of hand-crafted beers. The new 4.5% ABV cider, Ocean Cider, is full-bodied and traditional in style, with medium dry taste and a light sparkle. It is produced for Salcombe Brewery by established cidermaker Sheppy’s. Ocean Cider is currently available on draught across the …
Bira 91 launches ‘flavourful’ craft beer range in the UK
Independent craft brewer Bira 91 is rolling out its range of craft beers, including Blonde Lager, White Ale and Indian Pale Ale, across the UK. Brewed in India with Belgian recipes, Bira 91 is on a mission to “drive the global shift in craft beer towards more colour and flavour”. The three-strong portfolio begins with …
Morgenrot launches two low-ABV brews from VandeStreek
Drinks importer Morgenrot has extended its selection of low-alcohol beers from Netherlands brewery VandeStreek with the launch of Fruit Machine and Playground IPA. Available to the on and off-trade in 33cl bottles in cases of 24, Fruit Machine (0.5% ABV) is brewed with fresh raspberries and blueberries alongside Amarillo and Cascade hop varieties. Arriving in …
Big Drop Brewing releases first collab beers
Suffolk-based low-alcohol brewing specialist Big Drop Brewing Co has collaborated with beer expert Melissa Cole and UK craft breweries to create four 0.5% ABV beers. The limited edition brews include Raspberry Gose, India Pale Lager, Hibiscus Saison and Black IPA, which were developed with the help of Fyne Ales, Salt, Harbour Brewing Co and Fourpure …
Nirvana launches new beer for Sober October
UK-based Nirvana Brewery has added alcohol-free Bavarian Helles Lager to its portfolio in time for Sober October. Since its inception in 2017, the bricks-and-mortar brewery has been dedicated to the low and no-alcohol category. Bavarian Helles is the first lager in Nirvana’s range, and takes the brewer’s range of sub 0.5% ABV beers up to …
Freestar creates alcohol-free beer using alternative process
Ex Tesla, Propercorn and Sipsmith trio Charlie Crawley, Eddy Dallas and Felix von Hurter have launched a new alcohol-free brand called Freestar to the UK market. Freestar’s first product is a premium alcohol-free beer, created using a ‘new’, alternative process that blends natural ingredients instead of brewing them. As opposed to the typical fermentation process, …
