Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association American craft beer ambassador for Europe, looks ahead to the launch of three American craft breweries in the UK this month.
I’m very excited this month because three American craft breweries (two new to the UK) will be available nationally in up to 400 Home Bargains (extra large and superstores) in a three-week, genuine USA imported craft beer promotion, starting on 14th December.
The three breweries are:
- DC Brau Brewing Co, from Washington DC, who entered the UK market earlier this year;
- Paradox Brewing Co, from North Hudson, New York;
- and Upslope Brewing Co from Boulder, Colorado, the latter two making their UK debuts.
This is a superb opportunity to find high-quality, innovative, and sought-after American craft beers that are normally unavailable in the UK. But be quick — the promotion will last three weeks and when they’re gone, they’re gone!
The beers
DC Brau Brewing Co
- In Session IPA (4.5% ABV) A crisp and refreshing IPA that’s packed with flavour, has a smooth mouthfeel, and is brewed with 100% Centennial hops. Bitter enough to know you’re drinking an IPA, but light enough to be sessionable.
- Penn Quarter Porter (5.5%ABV) A robust porter that sits on the line between a porter and a stout, with chocolate notes and a dry, roasted finish.
Paradox Brewing Co
- Para Helles (4.5% ABV) A balanced, German-style Helles that’s super-light and refreshing and leads with a nice bready character that gets easier to drink as you go.
- Sonder Bräu (5.99%ABV) A Dortmunder export-style lager with a modest hop profile, a soft bready flavour, and rich mouthfeel. Crisp and clean to awaken your senses.
Upslope Brewing Co
- Craft Lager (4.8% ABV) A premium American lager brewed entirely with malted barley. This Colorado-style session beer is a clean, easy, light-bodied lager for the ages.
- Citra Pale Ale (5.8%ABV) Prominently features Citra hops to deliver pungent grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas on the nose, with a semi-dry finish. Juicy notes imparted by the hops pair with the light caramel malt character to balance this drinkable, ‘go-to’ American pale ale.
Beers are only available through Home Bargains stores and not online. Beers will be priced at parity with other UK grocers, making them highly accessible. This is a unique opportunity to sample new, high-quality American craft beers that have been shipped to the UK specifically for this occasion.
The promotion is being managed and overseen by importer Heathwick, with help from the Brewers Association Export Development Programme.
Medal winners
Beers for judging at the Brussels Beer Challenge, where Lotte was a judge
Here’s a shout-out to all the groundbreaking American craft breweries who won an impressive total of 85 medals between them at prestigious international beer competitions this autumn. These include 25 medals at the Brussels Beer Challenge, 25 medals at European Beer Star, and 35 at the Japan International Beer Cup.
Winning medals on the world stage is no mean feat, and testament to the skill, creativity, and brewing expertise of America’s small and independent craft brewers. It reinforces the world-class quality reputation of American craft beer, and I’m immensely proud of each and every one of them.
The UK is the largest export market in Europe and second biggest individual export market, accounting for 8.4% of all exports. American craft beer can be found at online retailers, such as Athletic Brewing, Cascade Club, Beers of Europe, Beer Merchants, Beer Gonzo, House of Trembling Madness, or select bottle shops, off-licences, online subscription services, supermarkets, and select pubs and bars.
• A date for your diary. The Craft Brewers Conference, America’s largest craft brewing industry gathering, takes place from 7th-10thMay 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Super-earlybird tickets are available from 6th December until 10th January. Find out more here.
About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts.
The BA represents 5,700-plus US breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers.
The BA organises events including the World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Festival, Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience, Homebrew Con, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week.
The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine, and Brewers Publications is the largest publisher of brewing literature in the US.
Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association and the free Brew Guru mobile app.
