James Clay, importer and distributor of world renowned heritage and craft beers, is set to expand its portfolio through a new partnership with iconic California brewery Stone Brewing, the ninth largest craft brewer in the US.
James Clay will import a core range of six of Stone Brewing’s best-known beers to the UK’s on-trade market, including Stone IPA, Stone Cali-Belgique IPA, Stone Ruination Double IPA and the world-famous Arrogant Bastard Ale, along with a full complement of special and seasonal releases to support the core range.
Renowned for its West Coast style IPAs, Stone Brewing has set the global benchmark for fresh, hop forward beers since their inception over 20 years ago and has built an enviable reputation for its memorable, bold and innovative beer. Stone Brewing recently became the first US craft brewery to establish a fully owned and operated brewery in Europe, including the launch of their restaurant Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Berlin, which was built in an unwavering commitment to quality fresh beer and the art of brewing. The core range will be imported from the new Berlin brewery.
“We’re excited to see the interest in craft beer continue to grow in Europe and as the UK has an established craft beer market, we look forward to fans enjoying cans delivered as fresh as possible from Berlin.” said Stone Executive Chairman & co-founder Greg Koch. “We looked for a distributor partner as committed to delivering fresh craft beer as we are and one that would handle our beers as carefully as we brew them. James Clay meets all of those high standards.”
Ian Clay, Founder and MD at James Clay, commented: “Stone Brewing is one of the world’s most celebrated craft breweries and is a pivotal inspiration to the remarkable global craft brewing revolution. Their IPAs are rightly considered modern classics, so we are delighted that James Clay is partnering with them in the UK, distributing these award-winning beers across the country.”
Stone IPA, Stone Go To IPA, Stone Cali-Belgique IPA, Stone Ruination Double IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale and Little Bastard Ale are available in returnable, 30 litre kegs and 24×33/50cl cans.
To find out more about Stone beers in the UK and James Clay, please visit: www.jamesclay.co.uk or join James Clay on Instagram, @jamesclaybeers
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For further information about James Clay please contact Louise Watson-Dowell on 0113 2429 174 or email: jc@ilkagency.com. For further information about Stone Brewing Berlin please contact Colin Lenz on +49 151 239 71 870 or email: colin.lenz@stonebrewing.eu
About James Clay
James Clay, founded in West Yorkshire, is the UK’s leading importer and distributor of specialist and craft beer. The internationally acclaimed business is in its third decade of trading and remains family owned. James Clay has built a reputation not only as a leading distributor, but also as a noted importer and brand manager, having UK responsibility for prominent breweries such as Flying Dog Brewery, Erdinger Weißbrau and Anchor Brewing Co.
About Stone Brewing
Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, the ground breaking San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. Recognized as an industry leader, Stone is one of the fastest growing companies in the US. Stone Brewing has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice, and was named the “Top Rated Brewer in California” by RateBeer Best in January 2017. The multifaceted company is the first American craft brewer to independently build, own and operate their own brewery in Europe (Berlin, Germany). Known for its bold, flavourful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone has earned a reputation for brewing outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, philanthropy and the art of brewing … and pledging never, ever, to sell out to the man. For more information on Stone Brewing, please visit stonebrewing.eu or the company’s social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and The Stone Blog.