Bottle Beer Range Enjoys Growth of Over 15%

Batemans, the Lincolnshire-based brewer and retailer, has seen sales of its bottled beer range increase year-on-year both in the UK and in export sales enjoying growth of over 15% during 2009. The Brewery also reports record pre-orders for this Christmas with its four-bottle selection-pack in particularly high demand. The recently introduced five litre (approximately 10-pint) ‘mini cask’ of its Christmas ale, ‘Rosey Nosey’, sold so well last year that the Brewer is adding an additional mini cask of its ‘XB’ ale which will be available from October 2009.

This places *Batemans 10th in the volume league of the UK premium bottled ale suppliers, regardless of its relatively small size. (*Source AC Neilsen). The family-run Brewery is also continuing to build its profile internationally and is now in thirteen markets including; Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Finland, Ireland, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia and Spain

The success of the range is attributed to a number of reasons which include; a new modernized bottle, the continuing success of Batemans’ seasonal bottle beer range which includes: Spring Breeze, Summer Swallow, Autumn Fall and Rosey Nose, but most of all the great quality of its award-winning beers . Rosey Nosey, the brewer’s festive beer continues to be a best-seller through most retailers. The core range includes Combined Harvest, XXXB (Triple XB) Dark Lord and Victory Ale. The eight-strong line-up, is unusual in that it is entirely Vegetarian and Vegan approved.

Batemans involvement with high street retailers has also strengthened during 2009. The Lincolnshire brewer supplies XXXB (Triple XB), to the Cook!™ range product supplied exclusively to Marks and Spencer. Earlier this year, the new Cook!™ chicken product joined the Freshcook’s Beef Pie which has been selling steadily since 2006. Both products are available through Marks and Spencer stores across the UK and Ireland and carries the Batemans logo on the outer packaging.

Stuart Bateman, Managing Director of Batemans says: “Our growth in the off-trade continues to build each year, and in the current climate, this is particularly pleasing. Our export sales are also growing both in breadth of country and volume of beer in all of our international markets. Feedback from our importers is that customers are delighted with the quality and tradition offered by Batemans beers and we are seeing repeat business for larger quantities with each order.”