>>Consumers and buyers give their views on the latest launches
Bumblebee Honey Ale
From: The Co-operative Group
Launched under the Co-op’s own Fair Trade label, Bumblebee Honey Ale is brewed using first gold hops from Worcestershire and Fairtrade honey from Chile.
Price: £1.59 per 500ml bottle
Total score: 37/50
Consumer’s Verdict:
LIZ HILL, graphic designer, 30, Hull
My first thought was that I really didn’t think it had a strong honey flavour or aroma, and in fact if it hadn’t said honey on the bottle label, I doubt I would have noticed. But I would say that it is very light and refreshing, so it is definitely one for the summer and perfect for taking to a barbecue.
The taste isn’t a million miles away from a lager and it’s a bit fizzy for an ale, too. All in all I think £1.59 is a very good price for this, especially considering it is a Fairtrade product.
I would buy the product again now that I have tasted it. It is a good offering and I like buying Fairtrade. However, I don’t think I would have bought it if I had just seen it in a shop. And I am not sure I would have spotted it in the first place since the packaging is not that eyecatching.
Score: 17/25
Buyer’s Verdict
Andrew Hargreaves, Trading Controller - Off-Licence, Landmark
As the name implies, the Fairtrade offering from the Co-operative Group is a golden-coloured ale, almost lagerish in appearance.
At 4.5% abv, the ale is a full-flavoured product, exceptionally pleasant to drink and lighter in effect than most ales and premium lagers.
Being an own-brand product for the Co-op, distribution is assured within the group. Much is made on the labelling of it being part of the fair trade strategy, together with the fact that it is brewed by the Freeminer Brewery with an ‘insignificant’ mention of the Co-op branding.
Bumblebee Honey Ale performs well as a drink, but personally I would not be persuaded to buy based on fair trade or the fact that it is from a UK brewery. Others, however, may be!
Score: 20/25
Bumblebee Honey Ale
From: The Co-operative Group
Launched under the Co-op’s own Fair Trade label, Bumblebee Honey Ale is brewed using first gold hops from Worcestershire and Fairtrade honey from Chile.
Price: £1.59 per 500ml bottle
Total score: 37/50
Consumer’s Verdict:
LIZ HILL, graphic designer, 30, Hull
My first thought was that I really didn’t think it had a strong honey flavour or aroma, and in fact if it hadn’t said honey on the bottle label, I doubt I would have noticed. But I would say that it is very light and refreshing, so it is definitely one for the summer and perfect for taking to a barbecue.
The taste isn’t a million miles away from a lager and it’s a bit fizzy for an ale, too. All in all I think £1.59 is a very good price for this, especially considering it is a Fairtrade product.
I would buy the product again now that I have tasted it. It is a good offering and I like buying Fairtrade. However, I don’t think I would have bought it if I had just seen it in a shop. And I am not sure I would have spotted it in the first place since the packaging is not that eyecatching.
Score: 17/25
Buyer’s Verdict
Andrew Hargreaves, Trading Controller - Off-Licence, Landmark
As the name implies, the Fairtrade offering from the Co-operative Group is a golden-coloured ale, almost lagerish in appearance.
At 4.5% abv, the ale is a full-flavoured product, exceptionally pleasant to drink and lighter in effect than most ales and premium lagers.
Being an own-brand product for the Co-op, distribution is assured within the group. Much is made on the labelling of it being part of the fair trade strategy, together with the fact that it is brewed by the Freeminer Brewery with an ‘insignificant’ mention of the Co-op branding.
Bumblebee Honey Ale performs well as a drink, but personally I would not be persuaded to buy based on fair trade or the fact that it is from a UK brewery. Others, however, may be!
Score: 20/25
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