Fierce Brewery is extending its reach southward. The Aberdeenshire craft brewery, owned and operated by husband and wife team Dave and Louise Grant and David McHardy, opened its second bar called Fierce Beer Edinburgh on the city’s Rose Street last month,
in the former 1780 restaurant.
It also owns and operates Fierce Beer Aberdeen, on Exchequer Row. The bar boasts 20 taps, a stainless steel bar, grey painted walls, wooden floors and a shabby chic-looking interior overall. There are wall lights made out of pipes and pressure gauges, wooden-top tables
and caramel coloured leather chairs.
Louise Grant told DRAM, “We’re leasing the bar and it was closed for about two weeks while we refurbished it. This is our first bar outside of Aberdeen and there may be more rolled out in the future if the location is right and there’s already footfall, rather than just expanding for the sake of it.”
Europe is taking a global leadership role in craft beer innovation, according to new research from Mintel.
The research reports that only five years ago (2013) North America (and the US especially) dominated the global craft beer industry, accounting for 52% of all craft beer retail launches compared to just 29% for Europe. But in 2017, 54% of launches originated in Europe, and just 19% in North America. Since 2013, Europe’s craft beer scene has experienced huge growth with new craft beer product launches more than doubling, experiencing growth of 178%. While the US is still the single most innovative market globally, with 17% of all global craft beer launches originating there in 2017, six of the top ten most innovative markets are in Europe.
Jonny Forsyth, Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink, said, “Over the last few years, interest in craft beer has migrated from the US into the UK and now into continental Europe. Our research suggests that Europeans are embracing craft beer because they are looking for new, more exciting offerings compared to their usual beer options, especially in markets such as Germany, where brewers and beer styles have remained unchanged for centuries. While markets like Germany, Belgium and Czech Republic are still dominated by their own beer styles when it comes to innovation, consumer interest in craft beers is already there and offers ample opportunities for manufacturers.”
However, Mintel research reveals that European consumers do not care too much about the difference between a ‘true craft’ beer (i.e. small, independent) or a ‘craft-like’ brand owned by big global brewers and, says the research, over two in five (44%) beer drinkers in the UK would like to see a system of certification of craft beer.
Said Jonny, “The term ‘craft’ lacks a formal definition which has enabled larger beer companies to capitalise on the craft boom, either by launching their own craft-style products or acquiring craft breweries, challenging what ‘craft’ really means for this industry. This practice of big brewers swallowing up profitable, smaller craft operators shows no signs of slowing down. An industry-wide definition could be both helpful to smaller manufacturers and welcomed by European consumers, as many beer drinkers want greater clarity and assistance in navigating the category.”
Innis & Gunn has revealed that 99% of ordinary share holders have voted to accept an offer of investment in the business from L Catterton, the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world. The transaction of £15 million in aggregate was completed today (15 September) to secure a 27.9% stake in Innis & Gunn.
Dougal Gunn Sharp, Innis & Gunn Founder and Master Brewer said, “We are delighted to welcome L Catterton to Innis & Gunn at a pivotal time for our business. With the backing from our shareholders we’re excited to move forward, strengthened with the support of L Catterton’s unparalleled expertise in brand building and understanding of global consumer markets. This is a huge opportunity at the right time for us to build strongly on the solid foundations that have been laid to double our 2015 turnover by 2018. Innovation and quality have been at the heart of Innis & Gunn’s success since day one, and this continues to drive us forward as we look to 2018 and beyond.”
Jean-Philippe Barade, Partner at L Catterton said, “The craft beer category is booming globally and Innis & Gunn has established a leading position in the market with its focus on high quality and distinctive beers, loved by consumers all over the world. With an unmatched portfolio of products, successful retail brand, and recently acquired Brewery, the potential for this brand and business is hugely exciting and it is in an exceptionally strong place to capitalise on the growth in consumer demand for craft beer. We look forward to working with Dougal and the outstanding team at Innis & Gunn to support their vision for growth.”
Completion of the deal gives L Catterton a minority stake of 27.9% in the business, and Dougal Gunn Sharp remains the largest single shareholder. The investment from L Catterton reflects and confirms the price paid by the crowdfunding community in November 2016, when Innis & Gunn raised £2.4 million through its first equity crowdfunding campaign, AdventureCapital™.
Innis & Gunn were advised by Noble & Co and Vialex. http://www.innisandgunn.com
Scottish craft brewer, Stewart Brewing, is celebrating the after its Jack Back beer earned a Gold Award at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) National Independent Beer Awards.
Jack Back won Gold in the ‘Champion Keg Standard Bitters & Pale Ales’ category at the awards ceremony, which took place at SIBA’s BeerX event recently. The UK-wide competition is open to all craft brewers around the country and each year receives hundreds of entrants, with over 400 beers entered in the keg competition this year.
Jo Stewart, Stewart Brewing co-founder, commented, “It’s amazing to win this award and we are extremely proud. The competition was so fierce with loads of great beers from well-respected brewers. It’s a massive result for our whole team and our customers who continue to support us. It was also great to see many other Scottish brewers do so well in the competition too.”
Mike Benner, SIBA Managing Director, said “It is fantastic to see such high quality beers across a range of formats in this year’s biggest ever beer competition. With hundreds of entries across cask, keg, bottle and can this really was the cream of the crop in terms of independent craft beers from the UK. It’s also clear fantastic tasting beer is being produced by our members across the length of Britain, but that Scotland brewers have proved to be a particular hit with judges in 2017.”
SIBA also acknowledged that the awards have highlighted the diversity of independent craft beer that is now being brewed in the UK.
Jack Back (3.7% ABV) is available in the Stewart Brewing brewery shop in Loanhead and the new Stewart’s Dockside Tap shop in Leith, as well as in select Edinburgh pubs and bars including Deacon Brodies, The Haymarket and The Mitre.
The Stewart Brewing brewery is located at Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, 26a Dryden Rd, Loanhead.
Heineken has moved into craft beer with its new beer brand Maltsmiths Brewing, launched this month in the UK on-trade.
The two-strong range currently includes a Bavarian-style Pilsner and American-style IPA. Both are 4.6% ABV and available in 330ml cans and bottles, and on draught.
Sam Fielding, who heads up the new beer team at Heineken, said the project aimed to encourage an “untapped market” of millions of beer drinkers yet to discover more flavoursome craft beers.
He said, “The fact is, 75% of beer drinking consumers have never tried what is commonly referred to as ‘craft beer’.
“This is about getting curious beer drinkers into the category and expanding their repertoire with more flavoursome beers – which will be a springboard for them to discover beers from the 1,500 breweries in the UK.
“This is about supporting our customers and growing the category for the entire industry. We can have a positive impact on this sector of the market.”
Maltsmiths Pilsner is “crisp and clean with pine and citrus notes and an earthy hoppy character” while Maltsmiths IPA has “a caramel base with overlying hop notes of citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruits and pine”.
‘Maltsmiths’
The beers were developed by Heineken’s first two ‘Maltsmiths’, Alex Brandon-Davies and Sarah Bartels using cutting-edge equipment at the award-winning Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh.
Brandon-Davies says, “I was really excited when I was given the opportunity to work on this project. We wanted to brew beers that would appeal to the beer-curious but for whatever reason, have yet to experiment.
“Using citrus-flavoured hops – namely Centennial, Chinook and Columbus hops – we’re hoping that drinkers will love the fuller flavours and it will be their first step into experimenting with beers from the hundreds of other breweries in the UK.”
Both products are priced £4.70 per pint in the on-trade.
Greene King is hiring apprentices for its new Craft Academy in an attempt to appeal to younger consumers.
Located at its plant in Bury St Edmunds, the Craft Academy will teach young people industry-specific skills in brewing, design, marketing and sales over 18 months. Participants will also create and market their own craft beer.
Craft Academy Apprentice Nancy Nagle, 25, (above left) is one of the first people to take part in the course, which is now underway.
She said, “I’ve always been interested in beer, so being part of the Craft Academy and getting to work on new and eclectic brews is fantastic.
“It’s been amazing to work on the launch of the first range of products, and we’ve got great plans to come.”
The first five beers created through the course will be debuted at major London craft beer festival, Craft Beer Rising.
These will include Over Easy (3.8% session IPA), Big Bang IPA (5.6% bold and citrusy IPA), Bitter Sweet (6% black IPA), Desert Ryeder (4.8% rye beer) and High & Dry (5% dry hop lager).
George Johnston, Brewing and Brands Marketing Director at Greene King, said, “The Craft Academy gives young people the chance to learn in-depth about each component of the brew process, right from creating the recipe and designing the branding to marketing and selling the beers.
“We’re really pleased to support this venture, which helps young people to realise their passion for beer and brewing while working to secure a professional qualification.”
The beers can already be found in selected pubs and venues, with plans to launch them into other outlets and retailers.
Applications will open for further apprentices to join the programme in future.
International brews will be showcased alongside top Scottish beers when a new global craft beer festival brewed up by organisers Daniel Sylvester and Greg Wells launches in Edinburgh in May.
Tickets are now on sale for first Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival, which will be held at the Biscuit Factory in Leith during the May bank holiday weekend, from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 May.
Festival organiser, Greg Wells (pictured top right with Daniel Sylvester), said, “We are beyond excited. Up until now, craft beer festivals in Scotland have focused on local or up-and-coming talent.
“What we’re seeking to do at Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival is bring together the best of beer, full stop.”
Up to 200 beers will be available to try including new-to-market brews, cult classics and festival specials from 30 internationally renowned brewers –such as Lervig, Firestone Walker, Dugges, Beerlbiotek, Pohjala and Yeastie Boys – alongside the best of Scotland, including Tempest, BrewDog, Pilot, and Fallen.
The three-day festival is expected to attract 3,000 beer fans.
Wells added, “Our hand-picked line-up will see superstar craft brewers from Sweden, New Zealand, America, Norway and even England pour their beers in Scotland for the very first time. Needless to say, this is not a beer festival to miss.”
Tickets (priced £38.50 plus booking fee) include entry to the festival, a souvenir glass and unlimited 100ml tasters of beer.
There will also be a range of Scottish street food curated by popular Edinburgh night market, The Pit, and headline DJ sets.
The Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival is the sister event to the celebrated London Craft Beer Festival and Bristol Craft Beer Festival.
Tickets for the below sessions in May are available here.
Fierce Beer, a Scottish microbrewery based in Aberdeen, has announced plans to massively increase its production run after a hugely successful first seven months.
Its founders Dave Grant and David McHardy launched the fledgling microbrewery in May 2016 in Dyce, having started the brand as a home-brew hobby in 2013.
After doubling its projected start-up sales in the first six months, Fierce Beer will now increase its brewing capacity to 20,000 litres per month.
The microbrewery has already expanded to 24,000 sq ft and is looking to double in size in the first quarter of next year, with the addition of 2,400 sq ft of warehouse space. There are future plans to offer brewery tours to the public.
To date, the microbrewery has brewed over 54,000 litres of beer in the form of pale ales, IPAs, porters and fruit beers; bottling over 80,000 beer bottles by hand.
Dave Grant, Managing Director of Fierce Beer, said the company’s export sales had also increased by 25% in the past six months, and that the rapid growth has allowed Fierce to hire its first employee.
He said, “We are delighted with the success of Fierce, and it’s growing popularity to date. A lot of time has been invested into the beers and we are continually developing them to make the brews better than ever. Market demand has been exceptional.”
Fierce boasts a core range of 10 beers, including a number of limited edition brews. It recently secured its off-sales license and has launched its online store ahead of Christmas.
Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn has hit its crowdfunding target of £1m in just three days.
The Edinburgh-based company launched its equity crowdfunding campaign, AdventureCapital, to the public on 1 November, offering a 2% equity stake in return for investment to back its future plans for expansion.
So far, 763 investors have pledged £1,151,110 and it is now “overfunding” with 25 days remaining, meaning Innis & Gunn will accept further investment in exchange for releasing additional equity.
Dougal Gunn Sharp, Founder and Master Brewer at Innis & Gunn (pictured above), said response has been “overwhelming”.
He said, “We did not expect to reach the target in such a short time, we are absolutely thrilled, and grateful to all of our investors so far – we can’t wait to get started on this next chapter together.
“Making great craft beer has been at the heart of this crowdfunding campaign, so it’s been excellent sharing our passions with so many investors.
“Every penny we raise is going to grow our potential to make even more great beer.”
Innis & Gunn intends to double its turnover to £25 million over the next three years.
The money raised through AdventureCapital will fund the brewer’s plans to roll-out its bar and restaurant brand, The Beer Kitchen. Last month, the company announced plans to open a third Beer Kitchen in St Andrews in November, following successful opening in Dundee and Edinburgh.
A future four sites are planned for 2017, including one in Glasgow, which will house the company’s first micro-brewery, and its first international venue in Toronto, Canada.
The investment will also support continued experimentation with beers, and increase capacity at its newly acquired Inveralmond Brewery in Perth, which has been renamed Innis & Gunn Brewery. Read more here.
Two beer enthusiasts from Leith have turned their love for quality, independent brews into a fully-fledged festival with the launch of their first ‘Craft Beer Revolution Festival’ at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh later this month.
Friends Richard Servranckx and Dan Quille have spent the last six months organising the three-day festival, which runs from 24-26 November.
The event will showcase craft beers from 13 breweries across Scotland, the UK and Europe, including Edinburgh-based breweries Pilot and Top Out, Glasgow’s Up Front Brewing, Panda Frog Project from Newcastle, London-based Howling Hops and Parisis from Paris.
Over 60 different beers will available in the festival’s Beer Hall and visitors will have the chance to meet the brewers in person to discover more about their new favourites.
The festival’s founders have also teamed up with Edinburgh-based microbrewery Ushers to concoct a special Craft Beer Revolution beer – a slightly spicy double red rye IPA. Festival-goers can vote for their favourite beer to win the ‘Craft Beer Revolution Beer of the Year’ award.
Co-founder, Dan Quille, said, “I recently visited America and was blown away by how popular craft beer was there. Here in Edinburgh it’s still the norm to go into a bar and order a pint of one of the big brands, so we decided to put our love of micro-brewed beer to good use and organise a festival that will introduce people to the amazing range of craft beers that are produced here on our doorstep and support the craft beer industry.”
Alongside craft beer, the festival will also feature Arbikie gin and vodka, and wines from Vino, as well as a number of street food stalls including Edinburgh’s Scoff and The Buffalo Truck and Glasgow’s Babu Bombay Street Kitchen.
Tickets cost £10 and include a Craft Beer Revolution branded glass to drink from at the festival and take home, plus a £2 beer/food voucher, tastings and master classes from the breweries involved.
Co-founder, Richard Servranckx, added, “We’ve been working hard over the last six months and can’t wait to share it with our visitors. We are thrilled to be working with all the breweries taking part and honoured to support Brewgooder as our charity partner and support their #DrinkBeerGiveWater campaign that provides clean water to over one million people.”
The Jekyll & Hyde Pub on Edinburgh’s Hanover Street is under going a refurbishment and is due to open as The Hanover Tap at the end of July.
The gothic-styled pub, which was bought by the Stonegate pub company in October, will be completely stripped back and repositioned as a more modern, friendly welcoming pub, according to its general manager Danny Roe.
He told Dram, “Our refurbishment will be in the same design of Stonegate’s Town Pub and Kitchen style.” He continues, “Despite the rumours that we are becoming ‘another craft beer pub’, we will actually be serving a broad range of drinks, of which craft beers will be some, but we will definitely be a normal pub.”
The Hanover Tap will have quality pub food, and will also carry Sky & BT Sports. Its design will be contemporary, using distressed wood and soft furnishings to make it more appealing to women. It is also improving its cocktail offering and offering smoothies and coffee, although its opening times will only change by an hour, opening at 11am.
The pub’s function room, which has 6 beer taps, will be refurbished and used as a general customer area, and it will be available for hire. The Hanover Tap will continue to run as a Free Festival venue throughout August, but in September it will revert to Stonegate’s Rhythm of the Week template, where it will run an initiative every day of the week to attract trade.
Jon and Victoria Erasmus the couple behind the Glen Mhor Hotel and Apartments in Inverness have also bought the Ness Bank Guest House, which is situated next door to the Glen Mhor Hotel. This is the couples fourth acquisition in two years and means that the four combined units (which includes the Alexander Guest House, the Brae Ness Hotel and the River House), comprises 75 bedrooms and 11 apartments. The couple has also opened a new bar in the shape of ‘Nicky Tam’s’ which incorporates the former Ness Bank bistro, Nico’s. The bar is positioning itself as a whisky bar and already stocks 100 Scottish whiskies. Nicky Tam’s will also eventually sell craft beer from a new multi-million pound microbrewery that the owners, are developing on the site. Approved plans for the brewery have been in place for over a year.
The UK cider industry represents over £3 billion in annual sales and supports over 10,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.
In 2015 the on-trade alone accounted for £1.7 bn of sales (CGA).
The cider market in Scotland has grown 25% in volume terms over the past five years, having attracted new customers from a variety of different drinks categories that include RTDs, beer and even wine.
Pete Brown is the author of World’s Best Ciders the first book to showcase the world of cider, from its origins as a thirst-quencher for farm workers to its present as a rival to champagne.Travelling from the Old to the New World and teaching us not only how to taste it but how to cook with it, Pete Brown and photographer Bill Bradshaw explore every aspect of cider and the people who produce it.
Cider was taken to America by Captain Cook to treat scurvy.
In the 14th century, children were often baptised in cider due to the fact that it was actually cleaner than the water.
In the early 19th century, cider was advertised as a treatment for gout. The reason for this was that apples have a high concentration of phenolics which have proven helpful in preventing heart disease and cancer – hence the old saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’.
The volume of cider produced annually in the UK is in excess of 6 million hectolitres or 130 million UK gallons.
The rise of Craft Beer has had a negative impact on cider sales in the UK but industry analysts Mintel believe that developing a more dynamic craft segment as well as giving greater emphasis to ingredient quality and heritage are two possible ways for cider brands to drive the cider market back into growth.
Magners was created in 1935 in Clonmel, the home of Irish cider and revolutionised the UK cider industry when it introduced the over ice serve. Made to the original recipe from its Irish roots, with 17 apple varieties grown in the Magners orchards.
Kopparberg is the UK’s best-selling fruit cider brand with Kopparberg Mixed Fruit the best-selling packaged cider variant in the On Trade and Strawberry & Lime the second best-selling packaged cider variant in the On Trade. CGA Packaged Cider Report, Total GB, Volume & Value Sales, MAT to 28.11.15.
Apple still accounts for 76% of the cider category but it is in decline- perhaps due to the fact that new research has shown young adults find the category boring. Pear is also in decline, but in the On Trade Fruit Cider category, continues to deliver impressive gains in volume (+6%) as it continues to recruit younger consumers. However Chris Wisson, senior drinks analyst at market research firm Mintel, believes that apple is due to make a comeback. He said, “Brands are really going to start repromoting the apple.”
And certainly his predicton seems to be right on the ball as Magners are planning to do just that from May.
In America cider was the first alcoholic drink.
It actually takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider.
Magners Golden Draught is being replaced across the On Trade in May with Magners Original draught to bring synergy across the family.
Half a pint of cider is believed to deliver the same amount of antioxidants as a glass of red wine.
When Caesar invaded England in 55 BC, they found Celts sipping a brew made from crab apples, which his troops took back to Rome.
Kopparberg has the only alcohol free fruit ciders in the market, addressing the increased need that on trade consumers have for responsible alternatives when they are out. Kopparberg’s bestselling variants – Mixed Fruit, Strawberry & Lime and Pear come in alcohol free alternatives. Kopparberg Mixed Fruit the best-selling packaged cider variant in the On Trade and Strawberry & Lime the second best-selling packaged cider variant in the On Trade.
To be classed as a cider, it has to be under 5.5%, or else it is classed as a wine.
Around 13% of UK adults drink cider at least once a month while 49% drink wine and 51% drink beer.
Kopparberg is investing £6m in a new consumer marketing campaign this month. It will focus on Kopparberg cider, Frozen Fruit Cider and the brand-new Fruit Lager range. This summer the brand is also taking its Urban Forest festival on tour to various festivals across the UK.
Cider is equally enjoyed by men and women, but women drink half the volume of men.
At one time, 365 different varieties of cider apples were grown.
Bulmers launched its Wild Blueberry & Lime flavour earlier this year. Emma Sherwood-Smith, Cider Director at Heineken said in February, “Blueberries’ popularity is soaring in the UK, yet surprisingly, there is currently no mainstream blueberry flavoured cider in the market, until now.
“The new Bulmers Wild Blueberry & Lime cider addresses both consumer demand for blueberries as well as the trend for experimenting with different flavoured ciders.
She continued, “Heineken’s expertise with NPD in cider is unrivalled and, most importantly, it works. Last year’s launch, Bulmers Zesty Blood Orange, was the biggest packaged cider NPD of 2015. It brought one million people into the Bulmers brand, 50% of which were new to the cider category – which is good news for licensees.”
Broughton Ales, situated in the Scottish Borders, has been bought by drinks professionals David McGowan, Steve McCarney and John Hunt. The trio, all have a wealth of drinks experience, as well as a passion for beer.
David McGowan has 25 years drinks industry experience having worked in senior sales and marketing positions with Diageo, and Scottish & Newcastle. Steve McCarney was most recently Portfolio Director European Wholesale at Heineken in Amsterdam while John Hunt has spent over twenty years in the drinks industry, most recently with Heineken in Amsterdam where he was Executive Director Global Strategy. Prior to this role, he was MD of Heineken’s Development Markets in Western Europe.
McGowan takes on the role of General Manager while Steve McCarney takes responsibility for Marketing and John Hunt will be responsible for finance and strategy.
David McGowan said of the acquisition, “We are inheriting a wonderful range of beers, from traditional brands like Old Jock to the innovative Hopopotamus.
He continued, “We want to build on the reputation for quality, work with our customers, and ensure Broughton is at the forefront of Scotland’s beer resurgence.”
Broughton Brewery, which was founded in 1979, has in its portfolio Greenmantle Ale, Old Jock, Hopopotamus IPA and Blonde Lager.
Broughton Ales currently has six employees working in brewing, distribution, sales and administration.
Craft Beer Rising has a new partner in the shape of The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). The event, which takes place at Drygate Brewery in Glasgow on 4-5 September, brings together beer, music and street food under one roof.
Taking place across three sessions, festivalgoers can look forward to sampling up to 150 beers from 30 local and international breweries, including Williams Bros, Harviestoun, Innis & Gunn, West, Stewart Brewing, Oakham Ales, Wooha, Belhaven and Drygate.
Tony Jerome, SIBA’s director of communications & membership, said, “We’re delighted to have agreed this partnership, which will raise SIBA’s profile, deliver benefits for our members, and help us achieve our vision of becoming the ‘voice of British brewing’.
“Our 825 independent craft brewer members produce quality, innovative beers – in cask, keg, bottle and cans – that put them at the forefront of the exciting British craft brewing scene. We hope that our partnership with Craft Beer Rising will encourage brewers outside SIBA to realise the benefits we can offer them and become members, to make us a more representative organisation.”
Daniel Rowntree, organiser of Craft Beer Rising said, “Our partnership with SIBA is a perfect alliance. It is important we organise an event that encompasses small and large breweries so that we represent the exciting range of British craft brewing. Craft Beer Rising will also give the exhibiting breweries a chance to market their quality products to both the trade and consumers.”
