FDBusiness.com

Carlsberg UK has grown its Crafted portfolio of craft and speciality beers for 2015, with the range increasing to 39 beers, each handpicked to help the UK on-trade capitalise on the growing demand for craft and speciality beers.

The portfolio has been sourced through Carlsberg UK’s third party partners and the Carlsberg Group global portfolio and includes lagers, bitters, pilsners, pale ales, porters and wheat beers – with a mix of draught, bottled and canned products available.

The range is brought to life by a bespoke ‘Crafted Handbook’ with an introduction by leading beer writer Pete Brown. It includes essential information to help licensees ensure they achieve maximum benefit from stocking craft beer, including advice on choosing glassware, beer styles, taste profiles and other facts and statistics to prove the craft business case.

New additions for 2015 include:

* Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale – Tank 7 is a strong, yet crisp and refreshing beer that combines the best of American hops with the classic fermentation aromas and flavours of Belgian Saisons. ABV 8.5% and available in 355ml bottles.

* Fuller’s Frontier – Frontier is unique in that it embodies a wealth of flavours, due largely to the special blend of high quality new-world hops, and the traditional brewing style to which Fuller’s is so accustomed. ABV 4.5% and available in 30l kegs.

* Grimbergen Blonde – Belgian Ale, slightly fruity and round and harmonious in the mouth. ABV 6.7% and available in 330ml bottles and 20l kegs.

* Jacobsen Saaz Blonde – Brewed according to Belgian traditions with a fruity aroma and dry notes of angelica root, clove and coriander. ABV 7.1% and available in 500ml bottles.

* Lagunitas IPA – Hailing from Petaluma, California USA, this India Pale Ale is well-rounded with notes of caramel providing a richness that mellows out the twang of the hops. ABV 6.2% and available in 355ml bottles.

* St Austell Brewery Korev – Brewed in Cornwall, this Helles-style lager is the first lager St Austell Brewery has brewed and is produced as a traditional lager, with the whole process taking between 20 and 25 days. ABV 4.8% and available in 30l kegs.

* Thornbridge Twin Peaks – Inspired by the Sierra Nevada beers, this Anglo American Pale Ale is brewed in Bakewell, Derbyshire, with an aroma of tropical fruits. ABV 5.0% and available in 500ml bottles.

Kathryn Purchase, director of customer marketing, Carlsberg UK, comments: “With year-on-year growth for craft beer in the UK up 34% and the average pint of craft beer commanding an additional 75-90p per pint, there has never been a better time for operators to explore and exploit the potential of craft and speciality beers. We’re confident that the Crafted portfolio will be a valuable asset to publicans, restaurateurs and bar-owners, offering a good entry range and ultimately enabling them to tap into the thriving opportunity that is craft and speciality beer.”