Ipswich based Big Drop Brewing Co., the UK’s first brewing company dedicated exclusively to making only the finest <0.5% ABV beer, has announced listings with Mitchells & Butlers, its first with a National on-trade partner.
Initially available at Mitchells & Butlers popular city centre bar brand, All Bar One, the award-winning Big Drop Stout and Big Drop Pale Ale have also been launched across their 100 strong Castle Pubs estate.
“This is a big step forward for Big Drop and the whole category” commented Big Drop Founder Rob Fink “as Mitchells & Butlers continues to recognise the growing importance of providing a credible range of options for non-drinkers. For too long, retailers were only prepared to stock one or two standard low or no alcohol beers, but M&B is leading the way by introducing drinks that are more in tune with their reputation for presenting an incredible craft offering.”
Mitchells & Butlers Beer and Cider Procurement Manager Ben Lockwood added “We’re thrilled to start this partnership with Big Drop and their impressive 0.5% range of beers. We know that some of our guests are looking to moderate their alcohol intake without sacrificing the social occasion our pubs and restaurants provide, and the addition of Big Drop Stout and Pale Ale clearly gives them positive products to enjoy”
“A recent survey* reported that more than a fifth of UK adults do not drink, with that number rising to one in four young people aged 16-24, and an increasing number of people are also cutting back on their alcohol consumption” added Fink. “This means that operators have to rethink their attitude towards their drinks range and provide a diverse selection that’s representative of their customer base. We’re looking forward to working with M&B as they do exactly that.”
Big Drop has won several awards including World Beer Awards and International Beer Challenge medals in 2017, Innovator of the Year at the New Producer Awards and was shortlisted in the BBC Food & Farming Awards 2018. It has also been shortlisted in the 2018 Beer & Cider Marketing Awards in the Best Targeting of Alternative Markets category. “Our success in these awards demonstrates how far the low alcohol category has progressed in the last couple of years” continued Fink “and we believe that our innovative approach is a strong match for M&B’s collaborative style for delivering the best for their customers.”
Big Drop beers will be available at famous Castle Pubs, including the Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath and the Adelphi in Leeds, as well as at All Bar One’s popular city centre bars.
Mitchells & Butlers follows Draft House and Barworks in stocking Big Drop beers as well as major restaurant listings including Hakkasan, The Ivy Collection and Fortnum & Mason.
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Twitter, Facebook & Instagram: @bigdropbrewco
For information on stocking Big Drop beers, please contact: rob@bigdropbrew.com.
For Further Information contact:
Kate Hempsall, Big Drop Brewing Co
kate@bigdropbrew.com
Tel: 07534 190241
*ONS Drinking Habits survey May 2018
Notes to Editors:
Big Drop Brewing Co.
Big Drop was the first brewing company to be dedicated exclusively to making the finest <0.5% ABV beer after founder, Rob Fink, identified a lack of choice in low/no alcohol beers. Further research revealed a gap in the market for a craft brewery dedicated solely to production of great quality, low alcohol beer that was full of flavour.
In August 2016, Rob and design supremo James Kindred established Big Drop Brewing Co with Johnny Clayton, former brewer at Wild Beer and one of the finest experimental brewers in the business, embracing the brewing challenge and joining a month later.
Their first two beers, Stout and Pale Ale were launched in November 2016 and March 2017 respectively with a further two, Spiced Ale and Lager, following in August 2017. At the World Beer Awards 2017, Pale Ale was named World’s Best Pale Beer (low strength) and Stout was awarded a UK Silver Medal when judged against full strength stouts and porters. Big Drop Stout also won a gold medal at the International Beer Challenge 2017 and Big Drop was named Innovator of the Year at the New Producer Awards 2017.
In 2018, Big Drop has been shortlisted for the New Business Awards, won the Dragon’s Pantry competition for new products at The Farm Shop & Deli Show and was one of three shortlisted finalists in the Best Drinks Producer category at the prestigious BBC Food & Farming Awards 2018.
Big Drop beers are available in 330ml bottles with branded labels portraying images of areas of outstanding beauty in the Suffolk countryside. They are also available in draft house, Barworks and selected restaurants, including Hakkasan, Fortnum & Mason and The Ivy Collection in London as well as a growing number of off trade retailers and bottle shops.