Big Drop boosts on-trade presence with Mitchells & Butlers
Alcohol-free craft beer specialist, Big Drop Brewing Co, has significantly increased its UK on-trade distribution with new listings across the Mitchells & Butlers group.
With positive feedback from All Bar One and Castle pubs, Big Drop’s 0.5% ABV beers will soon be extended to circa 700 outlets across the M&B portfolio. The new listings include: Premium County Pubs, Vintage Inns, Miller & Carter, Nicholson’s Pubs and Browns Brasserie – bringing Big Drop’s On-Trade coverage to almost 2,000 venues nationwide.
… Anyone who’s seen our crowdfunding pitch will know, the potential for growth in sales of alcohol-free beer is exponential
M&B guests will have the choice between Big Drop’s 0.5% ABV Citra IPA – current World Champion of the International Brewing Awards – and its Pale Ale, which is a previous winner of the World’s Best Pale Beer (low strength) at the World Beer Awards.
James Gregan, Assistant Procurement Manager at Mitchells & Butlers, commented: “Big Drop are producing some fantastic quality beers across the Low/No alcohol category, with the overall growth seen within this category showing no signs of slowing down. Their Pale Ale and Citra IPA variants are certain to delight our guests and we look forward to developing our trading relationship with Big Drop.”
The account win could not have been better timed with Big Drop having just launched a crowdfunding campaign with Seedrs to raise £500,000 in equity finance to help fund its rapid expansion.
Rob Fink, Founder and CEO of Big Drop, added: “There are some great things happening at Big Drop at the moment, not least our relationship with M&B which gives us the opportunity to take our presence to the next level. And, as anyone who’s seen our crowdfunding pitch will know, the potential for growth in sales of alcohol-free beer is exponential.”
Further information
Big Drop’s Awards & Accolades
Big Drop’s Pale Ale was named World’s Best Pale Beer (low strength) at the World Beer Awards 2017.
Its Stout won a Gold Medal at the International Beer Challenge and a UK Silver Medal at the World Beer Awards when judged against full-strength stouts and porters. It also won a Gold medal at the US Open Beer Championship.
Its Citra IPA was crowned ‘King of Craft’ at the 2019 Casual Dining show, which was dominated by full-strength beers. It also won the overall Champion’s trophy for ‘Non and Low Alcohol Beer’ at The International Brewing and Cider Awards and a Silver medal at the US Open Beer Championship.
Big Drop was also one of three ‘Best Drinks Producers’ in the 2018 BBC Food & Farming Awards.
“Big Drop specialises in alcohol-free beer and it’s all good. I tried the pale ale and the lager, too, and both are excellent, but the stout really is the business.” — Adrian Chiles, The Guardian
“The most impressive no/low alcohol beer I have ever tried; no argument, it just is.” — Melissa Cole, British Guild of Beer Writers
“In my view, by far the best of the low-alcohol brigade is Big Drop Brewing Co. All its beers come in at just 0.5%, and all of them are excellent – the stout in particular is a jaw-dropper. Superb flavour without compromise.” — Olly Smith, Mail on Sunday
About Big Drop
Big Drop was launched in 2016 as the world’s first brewer dedicated to alcohol-free beer by the-then City lawyer, Rob Fink and long-time friend James Kindred.
Both had recently become fathers and were looking to cut back on the booze but could not find any decent alternatives to their favourite craft beers.
Along with experimental brewer, Johnny Clayton, they perfected techniques to make a range of 0.5% abv beer styles – but crucially without the need for alcohol extraction – resulting in a fuller-flavour.
Big Drop has won over 40 major international beer titles including four times being judged ‘World’s Best’ at the World Beer Awards and beating full-strength beers in blind tastings.
Big Drop contract brews in batches through a network of brewing partners worldwide, meaning it can produce fresh beer – locally and ethically – with a minimal carbon footprint.
Recognised as the market leader in the rapidly growing AF craft beer sector, Big Drop can now be found in over 10,000 locations – including throughout Europe, Australia, Canada and – soon to be – the US. In the UK, Big Drop has listings with major pub groups (eg Mitchells & Butlers), restaurant chains (eg Nando’s) and retailers (eg Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Ocado) as well as on the High Street with Holland & Barrett and on doorsteps with Milk & More.
Its range of beers, which are all <0.5% abv, currently consists of: Stout, Lager, Pale Ale, Citra IPA, Brown Ale, Golden Ale, Hazelnut Porter and a Sour as well as special editions and collaborations with other leading brewers.
Further information: [email protected]