Northern Irish Whitewater Brewery in new market leap
Whitewater Brewing Company, the leading Northern Ireland craft brewery, has launched a new Indian Pale Ale for its key markets in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The brewery, located at Kilkeel in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains in county Down, is using spring water blended with American, Australian and New Zealand hops in its latest bottle-conditioned beer, Maggie's Leap (ABV 4.7%). The beer is available in 500ml bottles.
Managing director and founder of Whitewater Brewery Bernard Sloan describes the latest brew as "a hoppy beer packed with citrus flavours ideal for accompanying spiced foods".
"Maggie's Leap, named after a popular part of the Mournes with visitors, is the first beer that's been produced following a substantial investment in new equipment and technology to enable us to increase productivity and our portfolio.
"This investment has also included R&D projects that will also increase our overall competitiveness," he adds. "We have other beers in the pipeline over the next few months.
"We decided to name the new beer after an almost mythical figure in the area, a daughter of a renowned poacher. She was reputed to have had gold flowing locks, an hourglass figure and an engaging smile, the stuff of legend and the sort of tale of interest to visitors. It gives the beer a distinctive character and personality."
Whitewater Brewing Company, Northern Ireland's biggest craft brewer, has a series of awards for the quality of its handcrafted beers, ales and stouts. These include International Brewing Challenge medals and UK Great Taste Awards for products such as its Belfast Brew (ABV4.6%) and Germanic style Hoppelhammer (ABV6%).
The company produces bottle conditioned beers and ales and also supplies products in kegs to customers throughout Ireland. The craft business was formed in 1996 by Sloan, the master brewer and provides beers and ales to major retailers as well as restaurants, hotels and bars. It recently won business from Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland's largest hotel chain.