Watneys has launched a new range of beers in celebration of the lighter side of life, balancing the serious craft credentials of the beers with the importance of sharing a pint and a joke with friends while enjoying the many different things that make us laugh.
Named Sarcasm, Slapstick, and Irony, the three-strong Headliners range launches in September and features a Citrus Pale Ale, Double IPA and Craft Lager in keg and can. The launch will be supported this autumn with a Pop-up Stand-up campaign, which will see surprise gigs in pubs and bars by some of the UK’s best up-and-coming comedy talent.
Nick Whitehurst, managing director of Brands Reunited, which returned the Watneys brand to the bar in 2016, says, “We love a good time down the pub with our mates, and we love craft beer – but beard oil and Birkenstocks is really not us. So we’ve created three premium beers for laid-back laughter lovers who want to enjoy the flavours of craft beer but don’t necessarily buy into the full-on hipster experience.
“There’s a real opportunity to bring a broader range of beer drinkers into the craft category by making it more accessible, so with our Headliners beers we’re celebrating all the funny things that make us laugh, and different styles of humour. We all know a sarcastic mate, an ironic uncle, or someone who is always playing the joker, who we enjoy spending time with.
“Don’t get us wrong – these beers are great, but we know there’s much more to life. Drinkers appreciate a great beer as part of the experience of having a laugh and spending time with mates.”
The three Headliners beers are:
• Sarcasm Citrus Pale Ale 4.5% ABV
• Slapstick Double IPA 7.5% ABV
• Irony Craft Lager 4.6% ABV
The range will be available to pubs and bars in kegs and cans, with the cans also available to order online at www.watneys-beer.com. The cans will feature tasting notes which take a more tongue-in-cheek approach than many craft brewers. Watneys beers are brewed at Sambrook’s Brewery in Wandsworth, continuing the Watneys tradition of brewing in London dating back to 1837.
Watneys will be taking the Pop Up Stand Up tour to a range of pubs and bars, with venues to be announced. Licensees interested in stocking the Watneys Headliners range should contact cheers@watneys-beer.com.
