Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine

04/04/2025

Craft cider producer, Gravity Theory, has harvested a crop of new wholesale listings ahead of what promises to be a year of sustained growth for the brand and the category.

Wholesalers including Drinks Warehouse, Venus Wines & Spirits and Cave Direct are all introducing Gravity Theory to their ranges. They join established listings with Matthew Clark, Dayla, Euroboozer, Biercraft and Inn-Express.

The fresh apple juice is fermented and matured for a minimum of six months and is suitable for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Golden in colour, it has a hint of sharpness balanced with a touch of sweetness and is medium-dry with moderate to high complexity.

So far, it all sounds very positive, but how does it taste?

We were recently sent samples of Gravity Theory and from the moment we opened the box we were immediately impressed.

The tactile, slightly textured cans feature a drawing of an apple styled as a hot air balloon, below which is a passenger basket – reinforcing the company’s brand messaging, in a style reminiscent of the Victorian globe-hopping adventures of Phileas Fogg.

When poured, the light golden cider is crystal clear and delicate bubbles are released. The clarity is extraordinary, but it is the taste that lifts the experience to another level.

The mouthfeel of this medium-dry sparkling cider is extremely smooth with a subtle acidity, balanced with just the right level of sweetness. The fine bubbles reinforce the quality proposition and the finish leaves you simply wanting another sip.

This is simply one of the best – perhaps the best – cider that we have ever tasted. It is refined, confident and, in a word, stunning.
With the UK cider market valued at over £3 billion (according to the 2025 Westons Cider Report), Gravity Theory has all the right ingredients to thrive is in this burgeoning sector that is going from strength to strength.

For more information visit: www.gravitytheory.com

04/03/2025

This week is British Pie Week (3-10 March).

Pies date back to the Middle Ages and over the intervening centuries they have become established as one of the most popular dishes in the county.

Read the full story on our website: https://handcrafteddrinksmag.co.uk/british-pie-week/

28/02/2025

There are just a few hours left to enter your spirits, wines and beers in this year's London Competitions.

The organisers of the competition pride themselves on having award-winning buyers, bartenders, master sommeliers, masters of wine and some of the most influential people working in the drinks industry to judge the annual events.

Over the last few years we have interviewed many winners and the common thread in all of their responses is that winning awards at the spirits, wine and beer competitions has helped boost their respective businesses.

If you decide to enter the 2025 competitions, or have already entered, we wish you the best of luck.

For links to each of the competitions visit our latest post:
https://handcrafteddrinksmag.co.uk/london-competitions-2025/

23/02/2025

Just 5 days to go to enter your spirits, wines and beers at this year's London Spirits, Wine & Beer Competitions.

For more information follow this link:

Good luck to everyone that enters.

22/02/2025

There are many well-established drinks competitions and awards events that producers can enter, but none of them evaluate beers, wines and spirits on the same basis as the judges who take part in the annual London Spirits, London Beer and London Wine competitions.

The submitted spirits, wines and beers are uniquely scored on quality, value for money and packaging by a respected panel of some of the most respected judges drawn from across the international drinks industry.

This approach produces results that are more meaningful to potential buyers and stockists, because they will know that a high score (95 out of a possible 100 points, for example) is the average of the three criteria; it can't be for a product that looks good, offers value for money, but is low on quality.

Having been involved with the organisers for the last few years, as a media partner, at Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine we have had the privilege to meet the judges to get their opinion of the three competitions – very positive – but, more importantly, we conducted research with some of the 2024 competitions' winners.

Beverage Trade Network, the organisers of the competitions, published the case studies that we produced in full, but here is a summary of one of the companies that we interviewed – London-based Pillars Brewery, who took home four awards at the 2024 London Beer Competition: Pillars Hop Lager and Pillars Helles won gold awards; Pillars Pilsner and Pillars Icebock 23 were awarded silver.

The specialist craft lager brewery based in Walthamstow, east London, launched in 2016. As the first craft lager brewery in London, their mission was to change consumer perception of lager, which accounts for two of every three pints bought in the UK.

Their lager is brewed in a traditional Bavarian-styled brewhouse and they tailor the water profile for each brew using their own water treatment plant, which produces fine, award-winning lagers.

The impact on the company of winning the four awards at the London Beer Competition has been positive and when asked for the opinion of the event, their response was unanimously positive: “We feel that the London Beer Competition is a great competition to enter and you can see that by the calibre of entries.

“We only choose to participate in awards that well-respected breweries are entering too.”

Whilst the feedback from the companies that enter is overwhelmingly positive, the organisers do not rest on their laurels; over the last few years they have added new elements, features and benefits that participants enjoy, but it is the results of independent research like that provide compelling reason to enter.

The registration deadline is fast approaching: 28 February 2025.

Good luck.

30/01/2025

As previously announced, at Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine, we’re delighted to be continuing our association with the organisers of the London Competitions, as one of their media partners. Part of our role is to promote and publicise the annual competitions (wine, beer and spirits), and explain the ...

29/11/2024

The deadline for the early bird entries to the London Spirits, Beer and Wine competitions is 30 November 2024.

The competitions organisers pride themselves on having award-winning buyers, bartenders, master sommeliers, masters of wine and some of the most influential people working in the drinks industry to judge the annual events.

As media partners to this event we have seen just how much this competition benefits the winners, having produced a series of independent case studies to help promote the competitions.

If you’re thinking of entering click on the following links to find out more and to enter your products:

London Spirits Competition: https://londonspiritscompetition.com/
London Beer Competition: https://londonbeercompetition.com/
London Wine Competition: https://londonwinecompetition.com/

06/11/2024

Ten bottles of Sir David Hempleman-Adams Explorers Grand Slam Gin, inspired and signed by the legendary British adventurer, are going under the auction hammer towards the end of November to help raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Click the link to read the full story.

Ten bottles of Sir David Hempleman-Adams Explorers Grand Slam Gin, inspired and signed by the legendary British adventurer, are going under the auction hammer towards the end of November to help raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. [caption id=

31/10/2024

What's not to like about the Budget? A whole penny off the price of pint of beer!

The problem is there will soon be nowhere to buy a pint as business rates are set to skyrocket and the planned National Insurance increases will fuel unemployment.

Before the Budget the country was already losing around 80 pubs a month, a figure that will only increase.

23/10/2024

SIBA has launched a new campaign to help consumers to check if the beer they are buying is actually from an independent brewery.

The Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) has recently launched their Indie Beer campaign to help consumers to identify independent breweries and producers. As explained on The Morning Advertiser's website, 75% of consumers don't realise that international brewing conglomerates are mark...

23/08/2024

Thornbridge’s ‘The Union’ will be available in bottles for the first time.

Earlier this year Thornbridge Brewery took the decision to save a historic piece of British brewing equipment – a part of the Burton Union, which they took to Bakewell and is now being used for brewing.

The flagship brew created on this kit is called ‘The Union’ and is a classic British IPA, brewed with the British-grown hops, Goldings and Northdown, which give some gentle berry flavours and rounded, cedar-like hop aromas to balance the maltiness of the brew.

In September this beer will be available in bottles for the first time, launching as part of the Thornbridge Beer Club, it will be bottle conditioned and slightly stronger than its cask counterpart.

Thornbridge Brewery is based at Riverside Works in Bakewell, and has been operating since 2005. The brewery has picked up over 350 domestic and international awards, including over 100 for their flagship IPA, Jaipur.

Thornbridge now have a dedicated section on their website for The Union with all the latest happenings with the Union System https://thornbridgebrewery.co.uk/pages/union

03/07/2024

The award-winning Ramsbury Distillery recently launched Ramsbury Lemon Balm Gin, made using fresh lemon balm grown on their estate in Wiltshire.

The press release that was sent out with news of the gin described the Lemon Balm Gin as: “a vibrant and vivacious spirit” and having been sent a bottle to sample we can confirm that is another fine spirit from Ramsbury.

Over the years the interest in flavoured gins has ebbed and flowed; some distilleries produced outstanding products and some were more on a par with alcopops – overly sweet and not very pleasant.

This gin, however, gives you that injection of lemon zestiness, which you would expect, but it’s not intrusive and adds a refreshing depth to an already confident base spirit.

When we sample spirits we never add mixers because we want to get unimpeded profile to emerge. Sampling the Lemon Balm Gin was no different; we served it over ice and neat, and from the first sip we were impressed.

Although promoted as a gin that’s ready for the summer – whenever the summer finally arrives – this is one that we would enjoy all year round, especially as a sipping gin.

The distillery recommends serving this new gin as a Lemon Balm G&T, using 50ml of the lemon balm gin, 150ml of a quality tonic water and garnish it with lemon. For an extra shot of lemon we would recommend Fever Tree’s Lemon Tonic Water.

For those hot, lazy days we would also use an oversize glass and adding plenty of ice for a long, refreshing drink.

To create this lemon masterpiece, the distillers harvest lemon balm leaves directly from their distillery garden and steep them overnight in the still with 12 other botanicals used to produce their award-winning London Dry Gin.

The gin is then distilled in the traditional way keeping only the heart of the distillation which is hand cut by the distillers to produce a bright and fresh citrus forward gin.

As with an increasing number of producers, Ramsbury Distillery remains committed to sustainability; they use use of recycled glass and growing the ingredients on the estate using an advanced reed irrigation system.

This limited release is part of Ramsbury’s ongoing experimentation with produce grown on their estate, showcasing innovation and their commitment to local, sustainable ingredients.

The Lemon Balm Gin is a delightful citrus experience for the senses and one that we thoroughly enjoyed.

For more information visit their website: https://ramsbury.com

14/05/2024

Fresh to market is Toxin, a new range of social media-driven drinks aimed at students and the young adult market.

The new brand is a joint venture between instagram and TikTok influencer, Rufus Rice, and The East Coast Cocktail Company.

The new RTD range comprises three flavours that are available in 250ml cans, simply labelled as: Yellow, Pink and Green.

Toxin Green is based on a Matcha Mojito (8% ABV); a refreshing mix of rum, mint and Matcha green tea. Toxin Pink is the classic Cosmo drink, with a mix of smooth vodka, raspberries and cranberries (10% ABV) and Toxin Yellow, is inspired by a Lime Margarita cocktail, with a twist of Brazilian lime, tequila and a dash of salt (10% ABV).

Toxin founder Rufus Rice explains why he thought the time was right to enter what is a growing market segment: “We know that young adults look for vibrant drinks that are not only instagram-worthy, but taste great, but we noticed there is a distinct lack of ‘double’ or higher ABV options on the market, and from there the idea for Toxin was born.

“We want to be more than just another drinks brand on social media, we want to be seen as an integral part of quintessential student life, an accessible drink that fits a stylish lifestyle.”

To support the launch, Toxin is being heavily promoted across social media to over 1.5 million followers, with Rufus Rice driving engagement across his large following on Instagram and TikTok.

We were sent samples of all the Toxin flavours, which impressed everyone in the office. The simple, uncluttered labelling provides all the essential information in a large, bold font, including the name of the variety, the flavour profile and their ABV.

The headline spirits very much came to fore and were mixed with well-chosen ingredients, which produced refreshing long drinks, especially when served in a tall glass over ice.

The RTD range has been launched into the student and young adult market, which has an increasing number of people who are either eschewing alcohol or reducing their intake, so we feel that the clear labelling is very responsible.

Equally, with more and more distilleries producing low and no alcohol spirits we feel that Toxin has the opportunity to produce a range of less toxic drinks, which we anticipate would be well received by their target audience.

Whether or not Toxin does enter the low and no alcohol market, this brand is definitely going places.

For more information visit: www.toxindrinks.com

21/03/2024

At the recent SIBA Awards, Thornbridge Brewery was recognised in four main categories, including being named as Brewery Business of the Year.

In the Commercial Achievement category the brewery was a finalist; their online shop was highly commended and the company was also named as the winner of the Best Collaboration award.

The collaboration between Thornbridge and Budvar, which led to the creation of Czech Mates – a 4.8% Czech-style lager – resulted in the Best Collaboration award.

The new lager was Budvar’s first co-production in their 128-year history.

Thornbridge Brewery’s co-founder, Simon Webster, was delighted with the awards: “To be recognised as Brewery Business of the Year is something we’re all so proud of at the brewery, it’s a testament to the hard work of the whole team.”

Since launching in 2005, the brewery has picked up over 350 domestic and international awards, including over 100 for Jaipur, their flagship IPA.

15/02/2024

We were recently sent a bottle of Caorunn Gin to sample and we were impressed.

Caorunn Gin is hand-crafted at a malt whisky distillery, made with 11 botanicals, five of which are foraged locally.

The company only distils in small batches, which has been at the heart of the company’s philosophy since they starting producing gin in 2009, at Balmenach Distillery in the Speyside region of the Scottish Highlands.

Their brand name, Caorunn {which we were told is pronounced ‘ka-roon’}, was inspired by the Gaelic word for ‘Rowan Berry’ – one of five unique Celtic botanicals that are at the heart of their gin, including dandelion, heather, Coul blush apple and bog myrtle.

We have sampled many gins, but in the case of Caorunn I would gladly order a case of this unique, ultra-smooth London dry gin. Whilst this gin would be equally at home with a quality mixer, ice and a garnish, or in gin-based cocktails, we would choose this as a a serious challenger to whisky as a nightcap, without the addition of anything except a cube or two or ice.

For more information: www.caorunngin.com

20/12/2023

The early bird offer to enter the London Spirits, Wine and Beer Competitions closes at 11:59pm tonight. To take advantage of the offers follow the various links to their three dedicated websites:

London Spirits Competition: https://londonspiritscompetition.com
London Wine Competition: https://londonwinecompetition.com
London Beer Competition: https://londonbeercompetition.com

The competitions judge the drinks on three criteria, including quality of the drink, its packaging and value for money.

Good luck to everyone that enters.

18/12/2023

The London Competitions recognise the best spirits, wine and beer brands in the UK, Europe and beyond.

Although the super early bird discounts have since ended, their early bird discounts are available until midnight on 20 December, so don’t delay in entering your products entered and be a part of three competitions that help brands to build their presence in the UK market and to get recognised by key industry influencers.

As one of the event’s media partners, Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine has been supporting and helping to promote the London Competitions for several years.

We have no hesitation recommending that producers of all sizes consider entering this prestigious competition, which continues to deliver benefits for those who enter and win:

1. It helps enhance the reputation of drinks companies and their brands, with distributors, trade buyers, the media and consumers.

2. London Competitions rank brands by their value, package and quality, which encourages the trade buyer to believe in the saleability of those winning brands.

3. Every company that enters gets a detailed breakdown of the score their products achieve, by each criterion.

4. Winners can showcase their success on their bottles with official competition stickers.

5. All winners get unmatched worldwide reach via the BTN network, which includes On Trade and Drinks Merchant magazines.

If you are thinking of entering the 2024 competitions, the deadlines are as follows:

Key dates
Early Bird closes: 20 December 2023
Warehouse closes: 4 March 2024
Registration ends: 22 February 2024
Judging dates: 18/19 March 2024
Winners announced: 10 April 2024

Fee schedule
£140 – Early Bird: Closes 20 December 2023
£180 – Regular: 21 December 2023 to 22 February 2024

Quantity discounts now available
3 to 8 entries: 10% discount
9 to 13 entries: 15% discount
14 or more entries: 20% discount

We wish you all the very best if you do decide to enter the 2024 competitions.

Enter the Spirits Competition: https://londonspiritscompetition.com
Enter the Wine Competition: https://londonwinecompetition.com
Enter the Beer Competition: https://londonbeercompetition.com

29/11/2023

Sky Wave, the award-winning small batch distillery based in Oxfordshire, has unveiled a bold new brand identity and stylish new bottle design.

Since launching in 2019 Sky Wave has been committed to their craft, with an unwavering dedication to innovation.

The result is a growing portfolio of award-winning gins, including their original gin – Sky Wave Signature London Dry – designated the World’s Best Contemporary London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards; it was also awarded two stars by the Great Taste Awards.

Along with their core range of award-winning gins, Sky Wave has introduced Sky Wave Zero, an alcohol free addition to the selection that showcases the brand’s consistent commitment to development and inclusivity, by providing consumers with an alcohol-free alternative.

To find out more visit their website: www.skywavegin.com

Sky Wave Gin