Tennent Caledonian has launched ‘Caledonia’, a collection of premium bottled ales, in response to the rapidly growing bottled ales market and to offer curious consumers a chance to taste a high quality range of ale flavours from Scotland’s longest established brewery.
Tennent Caledonian has almost 500 years of brewing history and has created multiple award winning beers along the way. The ‘Caledonia’ range will give bars, restaurants and retailers in the off-trade throughout the UK the opportunity to taste more from the brewery in the popular ale category.
Over the past six years, demand for bottled ales has grown by 92 per cent, adding £257m to the market. This growth shows no signs of stopping with current trends indicating that spending amongst under 45s is up 16 per cent year on year and forecasters predicating that by 2020, the category will be worth £1bn.[1]
Currently, one in five bottled ale shoppers are aged under 35 and 66 per cent of customers want a range, stating that they like variety. These stats are supported by a 14 per cent year on year increase in intent to purchase across the premium bottled ale category and additionally, over half of beers, wines and spirits shoppers say they like to try new and different products.[2]
Attracting a new generation who lean towards premium, quality drinks and brewer innovation, the ‘Caledonia’ collection includes three beers, Outpost IPA, Double Hop and Hopscotch, each with their own great tasting flavour profiles at five per cent ABV.
Launching UK wide this month, each of the brews stay true to the ‘Caledonia’ ethos of locally sourced, high quality beers, made with the best Scottish ingredients including water from Loch Katrine and the finest locally sourced malted barley.
As each of the beers have different flavour profiles, there is a perfect food pairing opportunity. From spicy food and haggis to seafood and meats, the range presents customers with a variety of opportunities to drive sale through menu pairings.
- Caledonia Outpost IPA has a recipe influenced by the earliest pale ales made by Tennent Caledonian, which was the World’s Largest Exporter of bottled beer in the 1850s. The brew has subtle fruity notes which are dominated by strong, malty grain flavours along with a punchy, hoppy character. The beer is medium to full bodied and distinctly bitter, as you would expect from an IPA and pairs perfectly with pork or chicken.
- Caledonia Double Hop is slightly sweet with fruit flavours and an obvious citrus nose. A low to medium bodied beer, there is a clear bitterness mixed with a subtle hoppy finish which can be matched with fish.
- Caledonia Hopscotch is a Whisky Oak Beer which has a smokey, wood flavour with a hint of vanilla. This complex medium bodied beer is slightly sweet with a distinct bitterness and suits spiced foods and in particular, haggis.
Wendy Espie, Senior Brand Manager at Tennent’s, said: “The premium bottled ale market is expanding quickly and there is real consumer demand for high quality beers, something two thirds of beer drinkers believe is worth paying more for. Premium ale is currently the most innovative category in drinks and there is a clear consumer desire to seek out and try new products, with over half of beer, wines and spirits shoppers saying they like to try new and different products.
“Tennent Caledonian is one of the most established brewers in the world and we’re renowned for our innovation over many years. We believe our latest creation, the ‘Caledonia’ collection will make impact in the market, meeting the needs of customers and consumers alike with three great new tasting beers.”
Available in 500ml bottles across UK from March in the on-trade, and listings already confirmed in Tesco and Co-op.