Taste the Difference beers
With European beers taking the UK drinks market by storm, Sainsbury’s has introduced a range of continental-style beers to its range. We take a look at the supplier behind the Taste the Difference beers.
If you’re a beer drinker, you’re certain to have seen the influx of European beers that are now available in bars and restaurants. In response to this new trend, our Taste the Difference range has been developed to offer six continental-style varieties, and who’d believe they were brewed in Greenwich!
The name behind the range is Meantime Brewing – the South London company headed up by brewer Alastair Hook. Now in its fifth year of operation, the company supplies some of the top restaurants and bars in the UK, and for the last three years has been working with Sainsbury’s to develop its Taste the Difference beer range.
Hook’s passionate about making beer. His reaffirmed interest in the continental European style followed his time in the US where he rediscovered his taste for filtered, chilled, highly flavourful beers in the style that he’d sampled in Europe. Alastair’s interest was so great that he joined a German brewer where he developed his skill for making beer.
After his five year stint in Germany, he came back to the UK to join a London brewery, and then Mash a new brew-pub-restaurant concept where he began to experiment and create beers to go with food.
His passion to show UK customers the true extent of what could be achieved with beer, eventually led to him setting up his own micro-brewery and so Meantime Brewery was born. Why Greenwich? Because it’s where Alastair was born, raised and still lives.
Glenn Payne, Sales and Marketing Director at Meantime revealed: “The brewery joined forces with Sainsbury’s to research the new wave of continental beers that people were drinking in the bars. Together they set about developing Sainsbury’s own-label range.” Asked which was his favourite Sainsbury’s beer, Glenn said: “It has to be the Raspberry and Wheat Beer – it has just the right balance of fruit and astringency making it really refreshing and perfect for summer drinking!”
The Taste the Difference range is made in small batches, using traditional methods and ingredients, then fresh filled without pasteurisation. The result is fuller flavours and real character.
For advice on sensible drinking, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
