A Northumberland brewery has followed the global success of a lockdown launch with new work for other brands, securing jobs.
Allendale Brewery pivoted from its normal production of craft ales to produce a hard seltzer, a fruit-infused alcoholic sparkling water, called Ride.
Since launching during the pandemic, Ride has picked up orders all over the world and is now being sold around the 海角视频 as well as being exported to Japan, Norway and the Republic of Ireland, with deals also being signed with distributors in Sweden and the Cayman Islands.
That success has triggered contracts for the Allendale-based brewers to provide hard seltzer base formulas for other brands, as well as deals to can other producers鈥 drinks.
The new contracts secure 13 jobs at Ride鈥檚 parent company, Allendale Brewery, despite Covid-19鈥檚 ongoing challenges to the hospitality industry.
Produced alongside the brewery鈥檚 award-winning craft ales, Ride鈥檚 growth has exceeded expectations, enabling the company to welcome back staff previously furloughed because of the pandemic.
鈥淲e have been surprised and delighted by demand from other brands 鈥 a direct result of the success of Ride - to create hard seltzer bases and can other seltzers and ready-to-drink products such as gin and tonic,鈥 said Ride co-owner Lucy Hick.
鈥淭hanks to the investment we made in our canning plant in order to accommodate Ride, we can offer versatility and flexibility, producing large and small batches for other brands in a range of sizes, including 330ml sleek and standard, 440ml and 250ml slim.
鈥淥ur base here in the North Pennines is rural and historic, but our canning capability is state-of-the-art.
鈥淲e knew it was a risk, investing in a brand new product and an expanded canning line during lockdown, but the rapid success of Ride, and the associated new business it has brought to us, is transformative; keeping our people in jobs despite the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry.鈥
Ride is hand-crafted in small batches, canned on-site, and made with all-海角视频 ingredients.
The drinks are made at the Victorian lead-smelting mill on the banks of the River Allen in the North Pennines, which Tom Hick founded in 2004. It is now available in five natural fruit flavours 鈥 Mango & Passionfruit, Black Cherry, Blood Orange, Persian Lime, and Tropical Guava.
Ms Hick added: 鈥淲e鈥檝e never seen a product grow so quickly in popularity at home and abroad.
鈥淣ow it鈥檚 brought us additional contracts which are helping to secure the future growth of the business, and secure jobs. And all from a lockdown launch. It鈥檚 exceeded all our expectations.鈥
