Santa’s Swallie: now in bottle!

This Christmas, for the first time, Santa’s Swallie will be available in 12x500ml bottle cases. Supplies have already been sent to the USA, Canada and Switzerland, and initial UK orders have been leaving the brewery since late October. As this product is not available in any of the major UK multiple grocers we are getting a lot of interest from the specialist trade and wholesalers. At a delivered list price of £17.25 (ex-VAT) and an RRP of £2.29 there is solid margin to be made from what is already a successful beer in draught. At time of going to press we have made the decision to go ahead with a second bottling run, such has been the demand. If you would like any further information please get in touch with us.

Cask ale share of beer sales continues to grow

The latest Cask Report for 2010 shows the cask ale share of total on-premise beer sales continuing to grow.

As the chart here shows, cask ale now accounts for over 15% of pub beer sales. In the total beer market (i.e. including off-premise sales) cask ale accounts for almost 8% of sales, a third consecutive year of growth.

Cask beer sales in pubs is now at its highest level for a decade and represents almost half of all ale sold. This upward trend looks set to continue as more beer consumers switch to cask. Remember that almost two thirds of UK beer drinkers have never tried cask ale, but when they do 45% convert to drinking it. That is a huge untapped market waiting to be convinced to try cask beer!

Sources: BBPA/HMRC/TGI

New brand information

To coincide with the ‘relaunch’ of our seasonal beer range we have redesigned our brand information sheets. Each sheet contains important facts about the ingredients, taste profile and formats. The seasonal beers also feature a calendar to ensure our customers are aware beer availability. If you would like some of the sheets, or further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively the sheets can be downloaded in PDF format from our web site: www.inveralmond-brewery.co.uk.

Brewery Tap open for business

This picture shows some of the first happy suppers at our brewery bar. The bar will be used as part of brewery tours and will double up as an off-licence when required. It will also be the centre piece of trade hospitality activity. Although not open to the public as a bar per se, the Brewery Tap will be available to hire to groups such as Round Tables, clubs and associations to hold meetings or general socials. Give us a call if you are interested.

Santa’s Swallie gets a facelift

Our successful Christmas beer has been relaunched as part of the work we undertook on the seasonal range of beers. Santa's Swallie is a fine example of the tradition of brewing Christmas beers that was once prevalent in the UK and is still very popular in other Northern European countries. The word ‘yule' is derived from 'ale' as beer was used to celebrate the winter solstice throughout the years.


It is pleasing to note that Christmas beers are starting to make a strong comeback in the UK. They offer the beer drinker something a wee bit ‘special’ at a time of year when beer often plays second fiddle to other, sometimes more sickly Christmas drinks.

Santa’s Swallie is a dark copper coloured Christmas beer, traditionally hopped with Fuggles and a hint of seasonal nutmeg and cinnamon. There is a subtle spicy warmth to the finish, and the beer is robust enough to be the perfect accompaniment to the rich food associated with the time of year. Tasting notes are available should you need them. Just get in touch with the brewery and we will post or e-mail some to you.