Big Drop Brewing Co., the UK’s first brewing company dedicated exclusively to making only the finest <0.5% ABV beer, has been shortlisted in the prestigious BBC Food & Farming Awards 2018.
The Ipswich-based company is one of three finalists in the Best Drinks Producer category, which attracted nominations for over 400 businesses. The final round of judging will take place by the end of May with winners announced on Wednesday 13th June 2018.
Rob Fink, Founder of Big Drop Brewing Co said “When I launched Big Drop Brewing in November 2016 lots of people told me there wasn’t a demand for full-flavoured craft beers with such a low alcohol content. In fact, as I suspected, there was demand, but no-one had been listening to what those drinkers wanted or providing them with a realistic option.
“Consumers who are moderating their alcohol consumption, or stopping drinking it altogether, are looking for credible alternatives across a range of drinks categories. It’s clear that just because they want to cut back on alcohol doesn’t mean that they want to cut back on great tasting beer” continued Fink. “I’m absolutely thrilled that Big Drop’s groundbreaking response to this change in drinking behaviour has been recognised by the judging panel of the BBC’s Food & Farming Awards and am looking forward to sharing further details of our business plan with them.”
Big Drop has become known as one of the leading champions of the emerging low and no alcohol craft beer category, having adopted new techniques to deliver a full bodied taste for its beers that many people compare favourably with its full-strength peer group. Its reputation has continued to rise since Big Drop’s Pale Ale was named World’s Best Pale Beer (low strength) at the World Beer Awards 2017; its Stout won a Gold Medal at the International Beer Challenge and a UK Silver Medal at the World Beer Awards, when judged against full-strength stouts and porters.
“Master Brewer Johnny Clayton leapt at the chance to re-write the rule book when I approached him about my vision for Big Drop Brewing” explained Fink. “His revolutionary brewing method, in which he brews to strength at 0.5%ABV rather than stripping out alcohol after a brew has completed, ensures that the depth of flavour and great tasting beer remains rather than being removed along with the alcohol, something common with de-alcoholisation methods used by almost all other producers.
The BBC Food & Farming Awards were launched in 2000, to mark the 20th anniversary of Radio 4’s The Food Programme. The awards honour those who have done most to promote the cause of good food and the Best Drinks Producer category recognises the latest ideas in the drinks world as well as the producers keeping great traditions alive.
Rob and the Big Drop team will now tell their story and the development to provide a growing number of credible beer options for an increasing generation of mindful drinkers with category judges, Jaega Wise, Head Brewer at Wildcard Brewery and chef, restaurateur and author, Mitch Tonks.
“To have reached the final of this highly respected awards programme has exceeded our wildest expectations” continued Fink. “We recently announced a series of listings including Hakkasan, Barworks and Fortnum & Mason and I’m pleased to confirm that Caprice Holdings and The Ivy Collection will also be stocking Big Drop beer by the end of June, so this really is proving to be an exciting few months.”
For information on stocking Big Drop beers, please contact: rob@bigdropbrew.com.
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Twitter, Facebook & Instagram: @bigdropbrewco
For Further Information contact: Kate Hempsall
kate@bigdropbrew.com
Tel: 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.
Imagery on the labelling reflects the inspiration of Rob and James’ Suffolk heritage with designs taken from artwork of local areas by Suffolk Landscape artist, Helen Maxfield. The areas featured are:
Stout – Snape
Pale Ale – Rendlesham Forest
Lager – Shingle Street
Spiced Ale – Coddenham