The rise of ‘craft’ has done great things for sales of ales and lagers in the UK over the past few years, and even small local convenience stores have been successfully tapping into the trend of late. But could we be ready for the next step?
In terms of take-home formats, bottle-conditioned beers always used to be the gold standard, and the kind invariably favoured by the more-discerning drinker. These products are not filtered or pasteurised and contain a small amount of yeast to ensure they continue fermenting and developing in the bottle, which is said to create much more complex and deeper flavours.
But the craft revolution – along with technological improvements in areas such as canning – has succeeded in breaking down the barriers between what would have been classed by purists as ‘real ale’ (or lager) and what is simply interesting and tasty regardless of packaging format or how it is dispensed.
Marketing push
Now, however, a group of leading producers have come together in a bid to re-enliven the bottle-conditioned tradition. Head brewers from Marston’s, Fuller’s, St Austell, Harviestoun and Bristol’s Moor Beer Company gathered in London last month (October) to unveil plans for the first-ever Bottle-Conditioned Beer Week, which is set to take place in 2019.
Elliot Allison, who put together the event on behalf of Marston’s Brewery, says: “While so many brewers and beer-lovers are talking hops, or the differences between one cereal and another, too often brewers or beer’s marketers are forgetting that greatest of all magicians, the yeast. There is a big education job to be done and we hope today will see the start of a movement by like-minded brewers to punch our message home.”
On the proposed Bottle-Conditioned Beer Week, he says: “This week will bring on board the brewers, the buyers and the drinkers of beer to inspire the creation of new bottle-conditioned beers, and to build their reputation and distribution. As a collective, we will aim to bring bottle-conditioned beer back to the forefront of the national zeitgeist.”
Stocking suggestions
Bottle-conditioned beers that independent retailers might like to stock include Marston’s Pedigree, which was re-launched in this style in 2016, and St Austell’s Proper Job IPA. Harviestoun’s Schiehallion Lager comes in a 750ml Champagne-style sharing bottle and would make a good alternative to wine. Bottle-conditioned ales can be paired very successfully with food, say the brewers, while there is also ample scope for premium-pricing. Another good brew for the winter is Old Freddy Walker Strong Old Ale from the Moor Beer Company – one of the few UK can-conditioned beers – described by head brewer Justin Hawke as “a real Christmas pudding of a beer”.
Martin Geary
