St Austell Brewery in Cornwall has launched Tribute Extra, a bigger and bolder version of its top-selling Tribute beer.
The new 5.2% ale will go on sale in 500ml bottles after gaining what the brewer said was a “growing cult following” when released as a limited-edition seasonal ale.
Head brewer Roger Ryman must love messing…sorry tinkering with his beers – St Austell also does Big Job, a 7.2% version of its premium ale Proper Job.
Tribute Extra offers ale enthusiasts a glass full of everything they love about the multi-award winning Tribute – but with extra hops, extra strength and balanced with a fuller malt flavour.
It is packed full of zesty American Willamette and Slovenian Celeia hops, offering a lively taste of orange, grapefruit and biscuit from a pale amber-coloured pint.
Jeremy Mitchell, marketing & communications director at St Austell Brewery said: “Tribute is such a popular ale, not only within the region but nationally as well, that we didn’t want to make any fundamental changes to its traditional and trusted identity.
“We initially developed Tribute Extra as a Christmas treat for pubs but it has caught on so much that we have decided to offer Tribute Extra in bottles as a permanent addition to our range. We also believe the stronger version will be well placed for our growing export markets.”
Last year was a record year for sales of Tribute, with well over 45,000 Brewers’ Barrels (13 million pints) of draught sold in the nation’s pubs as well as more than three million bottles (up 46% on 2012) sold in supermarkets.
Bottled Tribute is now the second best selling beer in Tesco, while Tribute was also voted Best Drink at the Food Reader Awards in 2013.
The beer is available in pubs and via www.staustellbreweryshop.co.uk.
Foodies South West 