Ipswich based Big Drop Brewing Co., the UK’s first brewing company dedicated exclusively to making only the finest <0.5% ABV beer, continues to break new ground for low ABV drinks with the launch of a sour beer.
“Whilst the style is a popular one with many existing brands on the market, brewing a sour beer to just 0.5%ABV has taken a lot of planning and expertise” commented Big Drop Founder, Rob Fink. “Our Master Brewer, Johnny Clayton, continues to challenge the norm so that we can offer a range of popular beer styles for those who are choosing to cut back on their alcohol consumption and the sour is an outstanding example of responding to current consumer trends. Just because someone may be cutting out or cutting back on alcohol doesn’t mean to say that they have to cut back on variety and taste.”
Sour is the fifth beer in the Big Drop range and is now available as a limited edition seasonal offering. It follows the successful launches of Spiced Ale and Lager and the award-winning Stout and Pale Ale.
Big Drop sour is a very delicate, light summer beer which is inspired by the Berliner Weisse style. Brewer Johnny Clayton wanted to create the ultimate refreshing summer beer without the aggression of some sours on the market. “It’s made in a totally different way to other sours that drinkers may be used to” continued Fink “and Johnny worked hard to get the balance right. It’s not a kettle sour or wild bacteria ferment but his unique brewing style has created a gentle sour which is the perfect addition to our range.”
Big Drop sour is light, refreshing and tart. It has a citrus aroma with a smooth, juicy tartness in the finish. It is crisp, dry and perfect on a hot summers day and is ideal to accompany something tangy like a good stinky cheese or seafood with a squeeze of lemon.
The label imagery follows the theme of previous branding which takes its inspiration from Fink’s Suffolk background. It features Saxtead Mill, near Woodbridge, and is designed from original lino-cut artwork from local landscape artist Helen Maxfield.
Since launching in November 2016, Big Drop has become recognised as the leading exclusive brewer of 0.5%ABV beers and a key advocate of the lower alcohol sector. It continues to work with retailers to provide a genuine alternative for those who want to limit their alcohol consumption but don’t want to miss out on a great tasting beer and has recently announced key listings in bars, on shelf and in high-end restaurants including Barworks, Fortnum & Mason, Hakkasan and the Ivy Collection. Agreements are currently being finalised with other major retailers in both on and off trade as well as several export opportunities where the beers have also been a hit overseas with listings secured in Sweden, Japan, Finland, the Netherlands and most recently through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the largest single purchaser of beverage alcohol in North America.
“Launch of Big Drop sour comes at an exciting time for us” continued Fink. “Following a series of awards for the beers and our business last year, we have recently been shortlisted in the New Business Awards and the prestigious BBC Food & Farming Awards 2018. The public reaction to our beers has been fantastic and it’s great that our hard work in producing a credible range of options for mindful drinkers is also acknowledged by our peers through recognition in these awards.”
Big Drop Sour is available to order through Eebriatrade (www.eebriatrade.com), Dam Tasty Beer (www.damtastybeer.com) and The Bottle Shop (https://bottle.shop).
For information on stocking Big Drop beers, please contact: rob@bigdropbrew.com.
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For Further Information contact:
Kate Hempsall
kate@bigdropbrew.com
Tel:Â 07534 190241
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 is one of three shortlisted finalists in the Best Drinks Producer category at the prestigious BBC Food & Farming Awards 2018.