Having just undergone renovations to triple its capacity, Norfolk’s Beer of the Year Grain is celebrating again this month with a new hire, as Tom Hanna starts in a new role for the brewery – ‘Beer Missionary’, spreading the news about Grain’s great beers.

Tom will oversee the micro-brewery’s increasing sales, in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Greater London, with a brief to secure the brand more exposure in pubs, bars, hotels and delis, in these catchment areas. Tom will ensure more of the public is able to get a taste of the 45 barrels, or 13,000 pints, that Grain produces on a weekly basis.

Tom arrives at Grain with fantastic area knowledge, having previously filled the post of Account Manager at F&B distribution company, Tastes Of Anglia. Here Tom managed multiple accounts and substantially increased sales. Tom also brings an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry, having held senior roles in the past for both The Last Wine Bar and Raffles Restaurants.

Tom will use this knowledge to sell Grain’s real ales – which this year won five out of eight categories judged in CAMRA Norfolk’s competition, and also a national Bronze award by SIBA – the Society of Independent Brewers. Tom will also promote Grain’s new products to publicans such as 3.1.6. – a real ale created in celebration of the new brew plant and named after the brewery’s grade of stainless steel, which is also accompanied by a unique pump clip, made also from 3.1.6. stainless steel.

Joint-founder of Grain, Phil Halls says: “Tom understood Grain from the start, and with his experience and energetic personality, will help us spread the word to new customers’.

New Head of Sales, Tom Hanna says: “I was a customer first, and could immediately see that Grain was on to a winner, so I was delighted to join the team.’

The hire reflects a wider expansion of the contemporary real ale brand, as recently appointed distributers Liberty Beers and Euroboozer now promote Grain across more pubs and bars in the Greater London area.

Tom’s talents extend beyond beer, as he is also a well-known bassist, having played in bands Dimestars, Energy Function Band and Kubko, toured with Lady Sovereign, and worked in the studio with the Sugarbabes.

For more information on Grain Brewery, please visit www.grainbrewery.co.uk.

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For further information:
Leila Stocker

Turtle PR

Email: leila@turtle-pr.com

Tel: +44 (0)7889 231000

About Grain Brewery

Situated in the Waveney Valley area of Norfolk, Grain’s backdrop includes a tranquil river and miles of stunning views across the richest farmland in England. The brewery is located on South Farm using a converted dairy as its brewhouse and cellars. Grain sells cask beer to local pubs, and bottles to farm shops, delis, hotels and restaurants, as well as further afield into the neighbouring counties and London. Grain has left behind the usual baggage associated with real ale, and its beers are enjoyed by a younger market of both sexes, as well as appealing to all who love great beer. Grain is not afraid to push the boundaries and break tradition by experimenting with new flavours and foreign beers styles, such as its cloudy Belgian style witbier Blonde Ash, and the gloriously grapefruity ruby red beer Redwood. Grain has won numerous awards, such as the coveted Champion Beer of Norfolk in 2011 from CAMRA, bronze in the strong bitter category for Champion Beer of Britain and overall champion winner at SIBA’s 2011 East beer competition. Grain is actively involved in Norwich’s City of Ale festival as well as holding its own annual Summer Festival at the brewery with a great range of beers and dancing until dusk. Group tours are also available at the brewery which includes learning about brewing, experiencing the malt and hops whilst tasting a range of beer styles.

www.grainbrewery.co.uk

  A historic ale first brewed in the 1860s is being recreated especially for The Big Session’s Real Ale and Cider Festival, which takes place from 15-17 June 2012 at Catton Hall, South Derbyshire.

Ragged Kingdom is a light tawny harvest ale originally designed to satisfy thirsty Victorian field and factory workers, and has been revived by Phipps NBC, who specialise in authentic recipes and traditional brewing methods.

Phipps, who are based at the Grainstore Brewery in Oakham, have launched Ragged Kingdom in honour of Big Session founders, Oysterband, whose acclaimed collaboration with signer June Tabor, also entitled Ragged Kingdom, won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Album 2012 title.
Phipps NBC’s Alaric Neville, said: “Ragged Kingdom is a light amber 3.7% with a strong hop content to keep it sound in the sunlight, and was the thirst quenching ale of choice from times when the harvest was gathered in by hand.”
The three-day real ale and cider festival, which is part of a larger music and arts festival, features a variety of artisan tipples from such independent East Midlands brewers as Blue Monkey, Magpie, Castle Rock, Thornbridge and Derby Brewery.

On tap will be over 20 selections including Blue Monkey’s award-winning 99 Red Baboons, Nottingham Brewery’s Rock Bitter, first brewed in the 1800s and a forerunner of the modern India Pale Ale, and Phipps IPA, a golden beer brewed to an authentic 1930s recipe. Visitors will be able to find out more at a special free Meet The Brewer and tasting sessions.

The Big Session is a family-friendly music and arts festival created by Oysterband in 2005. With a strong line-up of acoustic and folk inspired acts, 2012’s bill features former Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader, West Country acoustic roots duo Show Of Hands, tubthumping folk/punksters Chumbawamba, the much lauded Leisure Society, and Oysterband.

Taking place in the picturesque grounds of Catton Hall, in South Derbyshire, from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June 2012, the event also boasts an onsite Sculpture Village (complete with a working forge and chain-saw wood carving), impromptu music and singing sessions, morning yoga, on-site luxury camping and a rolling programme of family activities.

Three-day/weekend tickets begin at £92.95, one day tickets from £32.95 per day (including all fees). Child tickets begin at £10 per day, with under 5s free. Camping is also available.

For more information, including tickets, see: www. bigsessionfestival.com or call 023 8071 1818.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

What to know more about the challenges of reviving a lost ale?

Alaric from Phipps NBC is available for select interviews.

> Contact us for more information: dave448creative@gmail.com

For more details on the Real Ale and Cider Festival, including Tasting Notes, see:

http://www.bigsessionfestival.com/realaleandcider/index.php?cat_id=48&level=1

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The award-winning India Pale Ale scooped pole position in a campaign organised by the inaugural 30 Days of IPA – an annual celebration of the history and diversity of India Pale Ale – which took place in the capital throughout the month of April.
Commenting on the results, Tom Cannon, at Caledonian Brewery, which brews Deuchars, said:
“This is fantastic news for the brand, particularly as there’s a huge amount of competition emerging from brewers large and small: all of whom competed alongside Deuchars IPA.

“We’d like to thank the voters for rating us the number one IPA – this is a resounding vote of confidence for Deuchars IPA in its heartland and we’re delighted with the result.”

Throughout April, drinkers were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite IPA in various participating pubs in the capital, including The Bailie, Ryans and The Peartree. They could also rate their top tipple via the event’s website. The poll attracted over 1,000 votes from ale lovers in and around Edinburgh.

Brewed only in Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery, Deuchars IPA reflects the best of the capital’s combination of historic tradition with modernity.

The cask beer has excited the industry and fuelled the Scottish ale renaissance and is a favourite amongst the likes of author Ian Rankin, Inspector Rebus and comedian Russell Kane. Its combination of taste and refreshment is delicious and slightly fruity, without being too bitter.

Hand-crafted in the brewery’s original Victorian brewhouse, the malt infusion and hop flowers are boiled vigorously in Britain’s last remaining direct-fired open coppers, resulting in a beautifully, balanced flavour.

Paul Hastie from 30 Days of IPA, said:

“We’d like to congratulate Deuchars IPA on deservedly taking the top spot in our IPA poll, particularly as they were up against so many fantastic beers, including Clipper, Imperial and Raj.

“This is the first time we have held the event, so it’s an exciting time for us. Our overall aim was to celebrate over 300 years of IPA history, through tasting sessions, meeting brewers and generally having fun. We’re looking forward to next year’s event and to see if Deuchars IPA will hold onto its crown!”

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Issued on behalf of Deuchars IPA by threebrand PR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Gillian Hamiltonat threebrand PR on 0131 454 2030 / 07734 656676 / gillian@threebrandpr.com <mailto:gillian@threebrandpr.com> .
OR
Sarah Dedecker at threebrand PR on 0131 454 2030 / sarah@threebrandpr.com

Notes to Editor:

·      Results from the 30 Days of IPA poll were:

1.     Deuchars 20.5%

2.     Clipper 13.0%

3.     Imperial 9.2%

4.     Raj 7.6%

5.     White Shield 7.0%

6.     Pentland 6.2%

7.     Barneys 5.0%

8.     Clydesdale 5.0%

9.     Ben Nevis 4.8%

10.  Wayfayrer 4.2%

• Deuchars IPA (India Pale Ale) was first brewed in 1991 by Caledonian Brewery on Slateford Road, which was built in 1869, when Edinburgh was one of the foremost brewing centres in the world. This was due to the abundant supply of barley and mineral rich water from Edinburgh’s ‘Charmed Circle’ of brewery wells.
• Caledonian Brewery is the only survivor of over 40 breweries that operated in Edinburgh during the 19th century (although a number of independent breweries have opened in the surrounding area in recent years).
• In 2004, the brewery site and production facilities were bought by S&N.

• Deuchars IPA is an unusual combination of taste and refreshment – delicious and slightly fruity without being too bitter
• Winner of multi awards, Deuchars IPA was named CAMRA’s Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 2002 and Best Cask Ale at the Brewing Industry International Awards in 2005.
• Deuchars IPA is the official sponsor of the Edinburgh Fringe – the world’s biggest arts festival – as well as the Six Nations and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Sarah Dedecker

threebrand PR Boat 1502U The Shore Leith Edinburgh EH6 6QW
call: +44 (0)131 454 2030   mobile: +44 (0)7545 989565
mail:  sarah@threebrandpr.com   view: www.threebrand.com
follow: http://twitter.com/#!/wearethreebrand

The Wombwell based brewer says the brew will provide solace or celebration throughout the trials, tribulations and – hopefully – joys of the three week European Cup football spectacular which opens in Warsaw on Friday June 8. With 16 teams playing 31 matches in Poland and Ukraine, England’s first game is against France on Monday June 11.

The premium cask ale has an attractive pump clip sporting the national flag and the slogan ‘Dreams Can Come True’. Created with roasted crystal malt, Challenger, Brewers Gold and Mount Hood hops the brew is ‘smooth and malty with exotic fruits and citrus notes on the aroma’.

Head brewer Dave Hughes said: “We are all football mad here, so we came up with this very tasty ale to help enthusiasts enjoy the tournament, whatever happens. This is a smooth brew with an impressive finish – so we are hoping the national squad will perform the same to realise the dream. In any event it will provide a great thirst quencher for those tension packed clashes.”

Bucking the economic climate, this year Acorn has enjoyed healthy month-on-month sales growth and now directly supplies hundreds of pubs across Yorkshire, the North West and North Midlands. Leading wholesalers also distribute Acorn beers throughout the UK.

Ends

Ref: Acorn PR 102  England’s Dreaming

Notes to editors: Since brewing began in July 2003 Acorn has more than doubled in size to a 150 barrel a week production capacity and won more than fifty consumer and trade accolades.

The permanent portfolio includes the award winning Barnsley Bitter, Acorn Blonde, Barnsley Gold, Old Moor Porter, Sovereign, newcomer Yorkshire Pride and Gorlovka Imperial Stout, which took a top accolade at the Camra National Winter Ales Festival in January 2012.

For further media information contact: Steve Hobman, Rhino Public Relations: 01829 250502/07751 578605 or email: shobman@rhinopr.freeserve.co.uk

The acquisitions, two new-builds in Portishead and Melksham and two established operations in Bristol and Milford-on-Sea, extend the company’s managed estate along the south coast and up the Bristol Channel.

Overlooking the Portishead Quays Marina, Hall & Woodhouse (Portishead) will open in November.  The contemporary, new-build, two storey bar-restaurant will echo many of the design and service themes of Hall & Woodhouse (Bath).  Part of the new building will be constructed from 28 shipping containers to reflect the restaurant’s stunning dock-side location.  Continuing Hall & Woodhouse’s commitment to the communities in which it trades, part of the building will act as a marina club house, operating 24/7 and providing services to boats and crews, including staff accommodation, lounge areas, toilets and showers.

The new site in Milford-on-Sea was acquired in early May. Formally the Westover Hall Hotel it has been re-named The Beach House and re-positioned as a mid-scale pub-restaurant with rooms.  The new name reflects the incredible location, which overlooks the beach with amazing views of the needles, and the building’s history as the Siemens’ family holiday home.

The sites in Bristol and Melksham are also being positioned as mid-range pub-restaurants and are located on roundabouts adjacent to busy roads with high density surrounding populations.

Anthony Woodhouse, Managing Director at Hall & Woodhouse explains: “We are delighted to have secured these amazing sites.  Each location has been hand-picked for both their strong and sustainable trading potential and their ability to enhance the quality of our public house estate.  Our ability to acquire such sites is built on solid organic growth, our confidence in our public house concepts and the development of industry-leading people development, food quality and cost management processes.

“At the same time as confidently investing in our company’s infrastructure by building a new brewery and acquiring substantial public houses, we are ensuring that we develop the right teams to make our guests’ visit to one of our public houses the highlight of their day.  The Hall & Woodhouse Academy, our Bournemouth University BTEC in Leisure and Hospitality Management and the development of industry-leading recruitment, training, reward and communication processes underline our commitment to our teams.  Rarely a day passes when we don’t remind ourselves that it’s all about the people.”

Hall & Woodhouse has a growing pub estate with over 260 tenanted and managed houses stretching along the south coast from Devon to Kent.

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Background information:

Hall & Woodhouse remains an independent family brewer, owned and run by the fifth generation of the Woodhouse family.  In addition to brewing Badger Ales, the company’s growing pub estate includes more than 260 tenanted and managed houses that stretch along the south coast from Devon to Kent and includes the prestigious Hall & Woodhouse Bath, which the Mail on Sunday listed as one of the six places you should see when visiting the city.

For more information visit www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk

For further information or images, please contact:

Katie Dunne

Elliott Marketing & PR

Katie@elliottmarketingpr.com

01296 714745

The 4.0%abv beer is brewed using the finest English hops including the special “Sovereign Hop” variety.  The refreshing malty flavoured beer delivers a citrus tang but with a distinctive bitterness, making it the perfect beer to raise a glass and toast Queen Elizabeth and her 60 spectacular years on the throne.

Miles Selby, Head of Purchasing at Stonegate Pub Company said: “What better way to celebrate the Jubilee than offering our customers across 334 businesses a special Diamond Jubilee ale.  This follows the great success of our recent Spring Beer Festival where 120 of our pubs showcased some of the best of British brewing.  The tankards look fantastic and will certainly help our customers to get into the spirit of the Diamond Jubilee as well as acting as reminder of this historic event.”

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Issued:  09/05/12

Photography:-

Please find attached artwork for the Diamond Jubilee Ale pump clip and an image of the commemorative Jubilee Tankard.

For further information please contact:-

Emma Currin

Leisure PR & Communications on behalf of Stonegate Pub Company

(M) 07753 838 490

Email: emmacurrin@leisurepr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

The Stonegate Pub Company is the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK with revenues approaching half a billion pounds and employs over 10,000 people.  The company has 560 pubs which are split into the following segments; Classic Inns, Local Pubs, Great Traditional Pubs, Slug and Lettuce, Scream, Yates, Bars & Venues and Missoula.

For more information about Stonegate Pub Company please visit their website www.stonegatepubs.com

Emma Currin

Leisure PR & Communications Limited

t: 020 8605 3544

m: 07753 838 490

e: emmacurrin@leisurepr.co.uk

Visitors to Croxsons’ stands at both Packaging Innovations at the NEC and the SIBA Annual Conference in Stratford were the first to test the innovative approach to marketing. By scanning the QR code on bottles with a smartphone, full details of the bottle design can be accessed online.

Tim Croxson, director of the family-run business, said: “Matching the right packaging to the product is essential for food and drink producers, and to meet that need we offer a wider range of designs and specifications than ever.

“Having recently completely updated our website, it made sense to make further investment in new ways for customers to access information about our full range of bottles, jars and closures, as well as our bespoke design services.”

By scanning the codes, stand visitors at Packaging Innovations and the SIBA Conference were able to share information with colleagues, as well as save details of designs on mobiles and laptops. Tim added,  “In a fast-moving industry, quick communication is essential. The combination of our website and the QR codes gives our customers the competitive edge they need.”

Croxsons celebrates 140 years in business in 2012, with Tim Croxson the fifth-generation of the family to work in the company. He said “Our investment in the latest technology demonstrates that it’s possible to combine traditional standards of customer service with cutting-edge marketing.”

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Notes to editors

• Croxsons was founded in 1872 by William Croxson, whose great-grandson James Croxson is Chairman today, with director Tim Croxson the fifth generation of the family to work in the business.
• Croxsons is based in Morden, South London, and has international representation in Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
• The company’s customers include Adnams, Continental Wine & Food, Frederic Robinson and Diageo.
• www.croxsons.com

* * * * *

Issued on behalf of:    Croxsons

By:                               ShielPorter Communications

Further information:    Ros Shiel: ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137

John Porter: john@shielporter.com

Lawrence collects a trophy for Ysgawen

A stunning result at this year’s Wales & West Regional Beer Competition in Ludlow, hosted by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) saw Purple Moose Brewery walk away with no less than seven awards, including three trophies.

Owner Lawrence Washington is particularly pleased as, aside from regular winners Snowdonia Ale and Dark Side of the Moose, four of the accolades were awarded to Ysgawen – Purple Moose Brewery’s brand new elderflower beer, in its first competition.

The awards are:

Cwrw Eryri/Snowdonia Ale
Silver in category (cask)

Ochr Dywyll y Mŵs/Dark Side of the Moose
Silver in category (bottles)
Gold in category (cask)

Ysgawen
Gold in category (bottles)
Bronze Overall (bottles)
Gold in category (cask)
Silver Overall

Lawrence commented, “I had a very good feeling about Ysgawen when we first brewed it. We have created another stunning beer and I had my fingers crossed for it in the competition. To win its category in both cask and bottle, and then claim silver overall is simply outstanding. Not a bad achievement really when, including the bottles, there were a record 250 entries in the competition from across Wales and the West of England. I am so pleased for all of us at the brewery. It really means a lot.”

To see the full results from the competition click here.

21/03/12

CWRW’R PASG / EASTER ALE  ABV 3.9%

Purple Moose’s Easter special is now available. This is an easy drinking golden session bitter with a fruity hop finish.
Available from Monday 19th March 2012.

‘Elizabethan Ale’ was devised in 1952 and was modelled on the dark barley wines prevalent at that time. The brewery has meticulously reproduced the original recipe, which included black malt and flaked barley, to produce a 7.5% alc barley wine in bottle and 5.0% alc draught version in cask. The blend of Fuggle and Golding hops even contains some from growers whose hops were used in the Coronation Brew.

 Stuart Highwood, whose family has farmed at Collier Street, Kent for over a century arrived at the brewery to see his hops added to the Jubilee Brew. “In 1952 we would have been picking by hand and drying hops in a coal fired oast house” he commented “today we have a modern, oil fired oast and picking is largely mechanised but the same hops are grown on the same soil.”

 Miles Jenner, Head Brewer, added “It is a sad thought that UK hop production has declined by 90% since the Coronation Year. However, at Harveys, we are steadfastly committed to supporting our local growers and long term contracts have ensured continuity to this day.”

 Attached ;

 1) Photograph: (left to right)  Miles Jenner and Stuart Highwood with a sample of hops destined for the Jubilee Brew. 

2) Pump clip image for Jubilee Brew.

 Contact ; Miles Jenner 0771 737 7316

 Harvey & Son (Lewes) Ltd
6 Cliffe High Street
Lewes East Sussex BN7 2AH
(T) 01273 480 209 (F) 01273 483 706
Registered in England 235093 VAT No 190 1860 68
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