US brewer scoops accolades at Tesco Drinks Awards

Thursday, 27 November 2008

A US brewer was the star of the show at the Tesco Drinks Awards 2009 and the Flying Dog Brewery, of Maryland, is guaranteed listings for two of its beers at the supermarket's stores from April next year.

Of the four national beer listings up for grabs, only one went to a British brewery. Brewdog, the winners of last year's regional heat, won the lager category with Scream.

But it was the Flying Dog Brewery that took the awards by storm, winning best bitter and ale for Flying Dog Pale Ale and best porter and stout for Flying Dog Gonzo Porter.

Rum was the flavour of the day in the spirits categories. The dark spirit award went to Angostura seven-year-old dark rum from Trinidad, while the white spirit award went to the Trois Rivieres Blanc 40 from Martinique.

The awards also included categories to recognise excellence in innovation and lower and no-alcohol drinks. The Innovation Award went to Twisted Tea, an iced tea from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the lower and no-alcohol winner was the 0.5% alcohol by volume Bernard Free Amber, from the Czech Republic.

In addition to the national listing winners, six regional tastings were held to showcase new products from smaller brewers around the UK.

Dan Jago, category director beers, wines and spirits, said: "At Tesco, we are committed to bringing new, exciting products to the market. Great drinks deserve shelf-space and a chance to gain access to the UK consumer, and that is exactly what these Awards are designed to achieve."

Mike Dennis