Pub, bar and restaurant buyers looking to refresh their drinks menus are set to enjoy a tastings extravaganza at next week’s Casual Dining show, which opens at the Business Design Centre, in London, on 25-26 February.
See and sample
Thanks to 140% increase in exhibitors offering alcoholic beverages for 2015, on-trade buyers will be able to see and sample the show’s biggest choice of beer, wines, ciders, spirits and mixers yet.
Official tasting sessions are scheduled to run throughout the show in the new Drinks Innovation Theatre on the upper feature level, with the programme split equally between wine and craft beer/cider offerings. It aims to raise buyers’ awareness of the quality, innovation and differentiation available within the drinks market.
The nation’s favourite drink
According to a recent poll commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), wine is the favourite tipple of around 60% of UK adults (compared to other alcoholic drinks). They estimate that there are now over 30 million regular wine consumers across the country. Wine aficionado Simon Broad, co-owner and director of Ten Green Bottles in Brighton, is definitely one of them.
Broad will be sharing his suggestions on how operators can diversify their wine lists in a series of tastings taking place on the hour between noon and 4pm on both days of the show. Using popular varieties like sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, rioja and prosecco as a starting point, his ‘Instead of…’ sessions will highlight a range of exciting, alternative varieties with appealing USPs.
King of Craft
Differentiation is also key to the success of the growing craft beer and cider markets – currently enjoying their biggest renaissance in years. Seen by many as a natural extension of the fashionable foodie revolution (promoting local sourcing, artisan methods, good values and taste), new craft offerings are transforming the marketplace and giving customers an even greater choice of styles and flavours.
A recent study by Mintel, published in December, stated that “one in five Brits (20%) have drunk craft beer in the past six months”. This rises to almost a third (31%) of UK millennials – by definition, the next generation of consumers and a big target market for many craft brewers and real cider makers.
On-trade operators looking to expand their stock of independent craft beers and ciders can enjoy tasting sessions from all eight of the show’s Craft Beer & Cider Showcase exhibitors in the Drinks Innovation Theatre (on the half hour each day, from 12.30pm until 3.30pm). Bear Brewery Co, London Velvet Beer, Sheppy’s Cider, Harviestoun Brewery, Cask Liquid Marketing, Bru Brewery, Broughton Ales, and Thistly Cross Cider will each host one session.
New for 2015, Casual Dining will also be announcing the winner of its King of Craft at the show. The award – voted for by visitors – is open to all Craft Beer & Cider Showcase exhibitors.
Big name drinks exhibitors
Jägermeister, Miller Brands (whose portfolio includes Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Kozel, and Tyskie), wine wholesaler Grape DNA, and single malt specialists Gordon & Macphail are just a few of the new companies set to exhibit.
Pontoon Cocktails, Harry Brompton’s Alcoholic Ice Tea, Element 29 Vodka, Strathearn Distillery, and Hi-Spirits will also be making their debut in the show’s Artisan Spirit & Cocktail Lounge (joining returning exhibitors Sipsmith Independent Spirits, Berryshka and Warner Edwards Distillery).
Liberty Wines, Casa Leal, and Felix Solis UK complete the show’s new Speciality Wine Village line-up.
Free Casual Dining Keynote Theatre
Highlights include:
- Anthony Pender, chairman of The BII & MD of Yummy Pub Co: How we’ll raise standards in licensed retail together
- The CGA Peach Pioneer Panel: Chaired by Peter Martin, VP of CGA Peach, featuring Martin Morales (Ceviche), Harald Samuelsson (Côte), and Brandon Stephens (Tortilla)
- The Propel Info Panel – How Pub Operators are Diversifying: Chaired by Paul Charity, MD of Propel Info, featuring James Nye (Anglian Country Inns), Tim Foster (Yummy Pub Company), Oliver Thain (Cambscuisine) and Kevin Charity (Bulldog Hotel Company)
- Kate Nicholls, CEO of The ALMR: New government – future high street
For full timings and seminar summaries click here
Casual Dining returns to the Business Design Centre, in Islington, London, on 25-26 February 2015. To register for a free trade pass click here and quote priority code CDPR1 (direct link)
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