Co-op ale range

The Co-operative Food has expanded its ale line-up and created region-specific beer ranges.

The retailer is introducing 40 new regional ales from across Britain this month, taking the total number of ales offered by the retailer to 111.

Stores will carry beers from a core range of national ales - including market-leading brands such as Old Speckled Hen, Hobgoblin and Sharp’s Doom Bar – along with beers offered only in the region where they are brewed.

Among the additions are beers from 11 breweries new to The Co-op. Individual bottles will retail between £1.99 and £2.49, while the full range is included in a 3-for-£5 offer (except in Scotland).

The launches come in response to Co-op research which indicated 71% of people think it’s important to buy locally-sourced varieties. The Co-op Food ale buyer Joe Turner said the strategy was intended to place the retailer at heart of the communities it operates in.

“Across the UK, our shoppers’ needs are different and it’s important to acknowledge that,” he added. “With more people than ever enjoying real ale, and local offerings a crucial part of its success, it’s exciting to collaborate with such a great variety of breweries across the UK.”

Alongside the 40 new beers, the presence of a further 26 is being increased, typically from 10- 20 stores to 100-200, The Co-op said.

The premium bottled ale (PBA) category is worth £490m – up from just £280m in 2009 [IRI]. In April, Marston’s claimed the sector was on track to be worth £1bn by 2020 – with £104m of the growth opportunity coming from the convenience channel.

RegionSupplierBrand
East Anglia Adnams Adnams Sole Star
East Anglia Oakham Ales Citra
East Anglia Adnams Adnams Spindrift
East Anglia Adnams Adnams Innovation
Midlands Marstons Plc Brakspear Oxford Gold
Midlands Marstons Plc Imperial Red
Midlands Wye Valley Brewery Butty Bach
Midlands Marstons Plc Ringwood Old Thumper
Midlands Marstons Plc Ringwood Boondoggle
Midlands Purity Brewery Purity Pure Ubu
North East Mordue Brewery Workie Ticket
North East Mordue Brewery Radgie Gadgie
North East Double Maxim Beer Company Maximus Strong Ale
North East Camerons Brewery Camerons Strongarm Ruby Red Ale
North West Robinsons Brewery Trooper
North West Marstons Plc Jennings Cocker Hoop
North West Thwaites Thwaites Lancaster Bomber
North West Marstons Plc Ringwood Old Thumper
North West Robinsons Brewery Dizzy Blonde
North West Hawkshead Brewery Hawkshead Lakeland Gold
North West Moorhouses Blond Witch
North West Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew
North West Marstons Plc Ringwood Boondoggle
Scotland Williams Bros. Brewing Joker Ipa
Scotland Williams Bros. Brewing Birds & Bees
Scotland Williams Bros. Brewing Caesar Augustus
Scotland Williams Bros. Brewing Seven Giraffes
Scotland Brewdog Brewdog Dead Pony Club
South East Greene King Old Golden Hen
South East Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay Pale Ale
South West Hall & Woodhouse Badger Firkin Fox
Wales Wye Valley Brewery Butty Bach
Wales Conwy Brewery Welsh Pride
Wales Conwy Brewery Rampart
Wales Sa Brains Brains Barry Island Ipa
Wales Wye Valley Brewery Hereford
Wales Sa Brains Boilermaker Ipa
Wales Conwy Brewery Clogwyn Gold
Yorkshire Black Sheep Golden Sheep Ale
Yorkshire Black Sheep Riggwelter Ale
Yorkshire Black Sheep All Creatures
Yorkshire Ossett Brewing Company Ossett Yorkshire Blonde

 

National Lines  
Old Crafty Hen    
Old Speckled Hen    
Hobgoblin    
Sharps Doom Bar    
Badger Fursty Ferret  
Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Guinness West Indies Porter  
Guinness Original    
The Co-Operative F/T Bumble Bee Ale
The Co-Operative Gold Miner Ale
The Co-Operative F/T Organic Premium Ale