Category Archives: Drink

Awards, Drink, Food & Drink

Spirits High at Aber Falls Distillery after Cleaning Up at the Wales Distilled Awards

Aber Falls Whisky Distillery had a clean sweep at the Wales Distilled Awards 2024 this weekend, winning gold in two whisky categories.

The Abergwyngregyn-based distillery entered its Single Malt Whisky and Rye Whisky for judging earlier this year. After a panel of industry experts and the public voted, the whiskies came first place in the ‘Welsh Single Malt Whisky’ and ‘Welsh Whisky (other)’ categories.

 

Carole Jones, General Manager at Aber Falls, proudly accepted the awards on the evening, commenting: “We are delighted to have won gold in both whisky categories at the Wales Distilled Awards. We literally pour our heart and soul into all the spirits we produce at Aber Falls, especially our whiskies. There is no better feeling than knowing others enjoy it as much as we do. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, and a personal thank you my team at Aber Falls that help make our business a success.”

 

Wales Distilled is the only drinks awards in Wales voted for by the public along with a panel of industry experts. The award ceremony was held this weekend [5th October], where winners were announced across a variety of categories. Drinks categories include:

  • Single Malt Welsh Whisky
  • Welsh Whisky
  • Welsh Gins
  • Dry/Sloe/Modern Gin
  • Welsh Vodka
  • Welsh Rums
  • Welsh Brandy
  • Barrel Aged Spirit
  • Welsh Liqueurs
  • Welsh spirit
  • Welsh Mead

 

For further information about Aber Falls Distillery and its products, visit www.aberfallsdistillery.com

Drink, Food & Drink, News

Hydes showcases latest ‘stars’ of TV-based beer range for 2024

Salford-based brewer Hydes has launched the final ales of its classic British TV programme-inspired seasonal range for 2024. The brewer will also introduce its latest two ales as part of its celebratory vintage bi-monthly range.

The final themed ales to be introduced are Our Survey Says, a 4.2% ABV deep amber beer available throughout September; Four Candles, a 5.0% ABV classic ruby ale for October; Say What You See, a 4.5% premium golden ale for November, and Jerry the Berry, a 4.4% ABV fruity red ale.

The full 2024 seasonal range comprised a range of 12 ales themed around classic British TV shows including Bulls Eye, Dad’s Army, Family Fortunes, Catchphrase, The Two Ronnies, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Fast Show, Hi-De-Hi, Phoenix Nights, Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses.

Hydes is also launching the final ales from its 2024 vintage line-up including Oatmeal Stout (4.5% ABV) a full-bodied, dark beer crafted from roasted and pale malts, choicest English hops and roasted barley. The beer will be available throughout September and October.

For November and December, Hydes presents ‘Anvil’ Nut Brown (3.8% ABV), a tribute to one of the brewer’s favourite British styles. Deep mahogany in colour, Nut Brown is a highly sessionable ale that typifies a once highly popular style of brewing.

Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers, said: “Our 2024 range has proved very popular across our pub estate.This year we have offered customers a fantastic collection of monthly beers to celebrate classic TV programmes from the past, plus six bi-monthly beers showcasing a range of vintage ales from the Hydes historical archives. This batch of ales, which concludes our 2024 offering to complement our core range on bar, combines elements of our rich brewing heritage in the North West through our vintage range with an innovative, contemporary range of seasonal ales playfully themed around British TV classics.

“We are currently finalising our exciting 2025 range which will include six more vintage cask ales to be made available bi-monthly and a completely new themed range of 12 seasonal ales. We can’t wait for our customers to sample what we have to offer.”

Hydes, with its brewery in Media City, Salford, was formed in 1863 and supplies beers to wholesalers, pub companies and other brewers throughout the UK and a pub retailing estate of over 40 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.

To find out more about Hydes Brewery visit https://www.hydesbrewery.com/.

Drink, News, North Wales

Aber Falls Distillery releases Rye Distillery Exclusive whisky

Aber Falls Distillery in Abergwyngregyn has today released a brand new ‘Rye Distillery Exclusive’ Welsh Whisky, with just 579 bottles being made available from its Visitor Centre.

With a combination of 51% malted rye and 49% Welsh malted barley, this Rye Whisky has been matured in a Virgin Oak cask for just over 3 years. This whisky is natural in colour & non-chill filtered – produces notes of Christmas cake candied fruits, marzipan, chocolate, and vanilla, whilst the palate delivers a taste of rye bread with hints of apple and malt, with a long-lasting, with a long delicately spiced finish reminiscent of spiced, ginger biscuits.

Jill Boyd, Master Blender at Aber Falls, said: “One of the great advantages of being a Welsh distillery is our ability to be able to experiment with different wood types and barrels. In turn, we can create unique whiskies and our rye release is a great example of this.”

Aber Falls Single Malt whiskies are distilled, matured, and bottled in North Wales, between the foothills of the Carneddau mountains in Eryri and the Menai straits. They are crafted using 100% Welsh malted barley and rock-filtered water taken from the Aber Falls Waterfall and are crafted by a team of local people. This very special whisky release is a combination of Welsh malt, and Rye creating a truly exceptional limited whisky release.

The Aber Falls ‘Rye Distillery Exclusive’ Whisky is bottled at 52% ABV and available to purchase from the distillery’s shop at an RRP of £85.