NLN MARKETPLACE MARCH 2023

Marketplace: Brand news and promotions

Hawkesbury Brewing Company launches new ‘green’ beer

Hawkesbury Brewing Company has installed 300kw of solar power, and although the brand says that’s enough to run a small town, there’s a lot more to the story than just the sustainability credentials.

“We grabbed a whole bunch of bitcoin miners, submerged them in a liquid solution which they heated as they consumed electricity and used this to heat our brewing water, which we can store in a large tank like a big battery. There’s a big problem though - it creates this waste stream called bitcoins. But we have figured out we can get rid of them: by converting them every 24 hours into AUD. Phew! We didn’t want them piling up,” said Mark Berwick, Managing Director of Hawkesbury Brewing Co.

In this process, heat is created not from coal but from bitcoin mining, powered by solar power. The end result is the Crypto Thirst Pale Ale, a proud partnership between Hawkesbury Brewing Company and Synergy Infrastructure.

“The revival of Australian manufacturing (and probably the world) has happened right here in your backyard. We pulled together two completely unrelated industries, one virtual and one physical. The waste heat from mining is the primary product for our brewery. The primary product of crypto mining is bitcoins and that’s our brewery’s waste product… it’s sustainable, renewable, net zero and mutually beneficial,” Berwick said.

Hawkesbury Brewing Company describes this process as a sustainable solution to cryptocurrency energy requirements, that also delivers a net zero carbon solution to manufacturing. It’s thirsty work, so the Crypto Bitbeer is available now.

Cointreau debuts revamped bottle design

Cointreau has unveiled the most momentous redesign of its iconic amber bottle in nearly two centuries, maintaining the recognisable look of the bottle while combining fresh elements celebrating the past, present and future.

The new design is an ode to the heritage of Maison Cointreau, featuring a minimalistic illustration of the historic Maison alongside the spirit’s key ingredient of oranges, embellished with Cointreau’s signature copper foiling. The Maison is also featured in an engraving on the side of the bottle, adding a new textural element to the design.

Meanwhile, the bottle itself has also seen a slight update to its shape to make it easier to pour, while the lid has a new embossed pattern that both enhances the aesthetic and adds extra grip to open the cap.

Finally, the label also now includes an innovative QR code to connect consumers to the ‘Original Margarita Recipe’, as well as many others. The unveiling of the redesign coincides with the 75th anniversary of this original recipe, which combines Cointreau, blanco tequila and lime. Such a milestone shows the longevity of the margarita and Australia’s love of this recipe – Cointreau reports that sales of the standard 700ml case have increased by 40 per cent in the last three years alone.

Different bottle, same liquid - with this pack refresh, the same iconic Cointreau inside the bottle remains unchanged, to continue its reputation as a staple for drinks lovers worldwide. Cointreau is an essential for both the home and professional bartender - for more information contact your local Spirits Platform representative, or head to their website.

De Bortoli unveils Ti Amo Fiano

De Bortoli has unveiled its latest alternative varietal creation, launching Ti Amo Fiano into the market. Despite the Fiano grape having its heritage in the Italian region of Campania, this expression has been made with grapes grown at the De Bortoli family estate vineyards in Rutherglen and the King Valley in Victoria.

The wine’s production was overseen by Steve Webber, De Bortoli’s Chief Winemaker. ‘Ti Amo’ means ‘I love’ in Italian, which Webber says is fitting, considering the love that went into creating this wine. Fiano grapes were gently pressed then fermented in casks and vats, before the final wine was carefully removed from the lees.

Ti Amo Fiano has a striking label featuring a vineyard scene visible through the bottle. It’s designed to immerse the drinker in the world of wine, and was acknowledged at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, winning the trophy for Best Label Artwork. Inside the bottle, tasting notes for Ti Amo Fiano hint at sea spray, pear, citrus, and nuts, alongside a textural mouthfeel.

Pabst Tall Boys return to Australia

Ahead of the 2023 Super Bowl, Tribe Breweries announced the comeback of Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) 473ml cans.

Cameron MacFarlane, Commercial Director of Tribe Breweries, said: “Pabst truly is a highly respected heritage beer brand with a strong following in Australia. The 473mL Tall Boy cans are just as iconic as the beer, which is why we’ve decided to bring them back to consumers.”

A famed American beer that helped establish Milwaukee as one of the world’s great brewing hubs, PBR has a nearly 200 year history and first joined the Tribe Breweries portfolio in Australia in 2018. It’s described as a ‘no-nonsense beer’ with crisp flavour, style and iconic heritage.

The original PBR liquid will be imported directly to Australia for the return of the Tall Boy, to provide the most authentic experience. The cans are available for the trade to order through Paramount Liquor, ALM or via Tribe Breweries.

The beer has an ABV of 4.7 per cent, with each 473ml Tall Boy can containing 1.87 standard drinks.

A new refreshingly light citrus tonic from Fever-Tree

Fever-Tree has embraced the vibes of the European summer with its latest release - the refreshingly light Clementine Orange Tonic Water.

The new product is crafted with clementines sourced from Spain, which balance the soft bitterness of quinine with sweet and juicy notes that embody the Spanish sunshine they grew under. Such a flavour profile is a great accompaniment to London Dry styles of gin.

Fever-Tree Australian Brand Ambassador, Trish Brew, said: “In Australia, half of all the spirits consumed are enjoyed with a mixer, and we always say; ‘if three quarters of your drink is the mixer, then you should mix with the best.’

“We’re so excited to have Clementine Orange Tonic Water available in Australia. It’s refreshingly light and one to for sure keep handy in the fridge for when you’re after a delicious and refreshing twist on the classic G&T.”

Fever-Tree Clementine Orange Tonic Water is naturally flavoured, with just 18 calories per 100ml.

Bombay Sapphire releases Citron Pressé canned cocktail

Bombay Sapphire has launched the Bombay Citrus Collins, an RTD featuring its London Dry Gin with a Mediterranean lemon infusion and premium soda water. The new canned cocktail is inspired by the classic Tom Collins cocktail and allows consumers to enjoy a bright, vibrant drink in whatever setting.

Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador, Corina Retter, told The Shout: “I’m particularly excited about the Bombay Sapphire Citrus Collins, it’s everything you love about a Tom Collins at your fingertips in a ready-to-drink can.

“Complementing the launch of Bombay Citron Pressé, it’s perfect for at-home entertaining or outdoor occasions and is already a crowd pleaser among my friends and family. The Citrus Collins allows gin fans to enjoy the new flavoured gin expression wherever they are.

“It is a bright, vibrant cocktail featuring a blend of 100 per cent natural Mediterranean lemons with the brand’s London Dry Gin, mixed with premium soda water. It is best enjoyed over ice with a squeeze of lemon.”

Bombay Citrus Collins comes in four-packs of 250ml cans, with 5.0 per cent ABV and a RRP of $25.99.

Richard Hamilton Wines gives Centurion new armour

Richard Hamilton Wines has celebrated 130 years of its Centurion Vineyard with a refresh to the packaging of its flagship wine, the Centurion Old Vine Shiraz (2020 vintage release).

The vineyard is one of the oldest surviving vineyards not only in Australia, but the world, planted in 1892 by brothers Walter and Clement Philipson. After changing hands in 1893, it eventually was acquired by Burton Wyndham Hamilton in 1947, and is now managed by the fifth and sixth generations of the industry pioneering Hamilton family – Burton’s son, Dr Richard Hamilton, along with his wide Jette, their son Thomas and daughter Annasofia.

The new label of the Centurion Old Vine Shiraz pays homage to the graceful aging of the distinguished vines, which continue to display vibrancy and ongoing determination, consistently providing quality fruit with great intensity and yield. Stylish embellishments integrate the heritage of the vineyard with subtle cues that reference Roman legion soldiers. Roman numerals showcase the year of the vines planting, while a textured key and foiled text represent the traditional colour of Centurion armour.

The Centurion Vineyard anniversary is just one of many milestones that Richard Hamilton Wines has celebrated this past year. In 2022, it also marked 185 years of Hamilton family winemaking in South Australia, as well as a diamond jubilee (75 years) of McLaren Vale vineyard ownership for the family, and 50 years of Richard Hamilton Wines as a label.

Benriach turns up the peat with Smoke Season

Brown-Forman’s Speyside distillery, Benriach, has released a new expression, with Smoke Season now available nationwide. Although smoky whiskies are not traditionally associated with the Speyside area, Benriach noted that its archives show heavily peated single malts were a preferred style for the palates of the region in the 19th century. Smoke Season therefore revives a tradition from more than 50 years ago. It’s a small batch release that captures one of the distillery’s most timehonoured seasonal production techniques, but with a new recipe finely tuned by Benriach Master Blender, Dr Rachel Barrie.

“With intensely peated spirit batch distilled every year, at Benriach we never stop exploring how the fruit and smoke aromatics intertwine and mature in a range of eclectic oak casks, either amplifying or transforming the perception of peat. Smoke Season is the result of exploring 100 per cent intensely peated malt, batch distilled and matured in first fill bourbon barrels combined with a high proportion of charred and toasted American Virgin oak casks,” Dr Barrie said.

“Crafted exclusively from intensely peated malt distilled in Smoke Season, the spirit is reminiscent of barbecue smoked fruit in a pine forest. American virgin oak and bourbon barrel maturation develop sweet caramel smoke and cinnamon spiced roasted apple, with hints of charred orange peel and hickory, concentrated at the bottling strength of 52.8 per cent ABV.”

Deeds Group partners with Kaddy to launch extended portfolio

Independent craft brewery, Deeds Brewing, has herladed a new era, evolving and diversifying under the banner of Deeds Group. Under this new name and remit, Deeds Group is responsible for its own labels and also a range of other brands, including the justlaunched Skyline Seltzer and two new imported brands – Quilmes Cerveza and Jumping Goat liqueurs.

The expansion has been enabled by Deeds Group’s partnership with wholesale marketplace Kaddy, helping drive the group’s sales across key markets in NSW, VIC and the ACT.

Kaddy Co-founder, Rich Coombes, said the relationship is a win-win, noting: “Deeds Group is a very exciting beverage company to be working so closely with. We’ve seen their rapid rise in popularity, and we’re looking forward to being part of their next growth phase.”

The announcement marks an important milestone for Deeds, which has journeyed from backyard brewer to contract maker before finally opening its own state of the art brewery and tap house. And its an expansion that continues to grow too, with the addition of the Pre Game Pale Ale.

Describing the new beer, Head Brewer, Richard Hollingworth, said: “We’re a brewery that can make the biggest, wildest, and most extravagant beers while at the same time create a perfect 4.2 per cent smasher at a very approachable price. Citra is one of our favourite hops and we wanted to showcase it in a beer.”

Frenchies Brewery launches aperitivo seltzer

Independent Australian producer, Frenchies Brewery, has announced the release of its first ever hard seltzer, the Aperitivo Seltzer.

The new seltzer is inspired by the Australian summer as well as the Italian coastline, leaning on the European roots of Co-founder and Head Brewer, Vincent De Soyres. It features 25 locally sourced natural spices, fruits and botanicals, which combine to create bittersweet citrus flavours. After undergoing a refined brewing process and triple filtration, the end product is described as light, bright and refreshing, at four per cent ABV.

De Soyres said the Aperitivo Seltzer was designed to enjoy in true Aperitivo style (before meals), but its convenient format also allows consumers to enjoy anywhere, anytime.

“Seltzers have become massively popular over the last few years, however we recognised there was a bit of a gap in the market for an all natural, locally produced product, that also offers a completely unique flavour profile to what’s currently out there,” De Soyres said.

“So, leaning on our mix of European and Aussie brewing techniques, and love of these continents in equal measure, we developed the summery, botanical infused Aperitivo Seltzer. It’s the first in this new range, and there will be more unique seltzer products that pair Euro and Australian influences dropping later in the year.”

Wangolina secures national distribution with Saint Wine

Limestone Coast winery, Wangolina, has announced its new partnership with Saint Wine, which will enable Wangolina wines to be distributed Australia-wide.

The Wangolina range is described as a unique portrayal of the Limestone Coast, showcasing the cool climate and coastal characteristics the region is known for, via a collection of traditional and alternative varietals. Grapes are sourced from a handful of premium vineyards across the region, with only the best fruit used.

Saint Wine, established by long time friends Adam Partington and Tyson Rowsell, has grown over the past five years to gather a comprehensive team of wine professionals situated in every Australian state. Anita Goode, Owner, Maker and Grower at Wangolina, said the choice to partner with the Saint Wine team came down to the connection between the two companies.

“Partnering with a company whose ethos aligns with ours, are passionate and ultimately can get our wine further across the country was important to me. I got chatting with Adam and knew we’d make a good team,” Goode said.

Partington added: “Our wine ethos is simple; we only represent brands we believe in and people we enjoy working with.”