Drinks Cabinet: Royal Britannia

Champagne or English sparkling wine, Russian or English Vodka? Britain is fast becoming a leading power in the drinks market. Our drinks columnist “Mr Merret” explains more.

2012 will be a big year for homegrown British brands, aside from being bang on trend it would be hard to ignore monumental events taking place; the Olympics & the Queen’s Jubilee. Believe it or not English fizz from South East England is winning awards on a world-class stage, even beating its French counterparts. Balfour and Ridgeview are brands that are pushing for big things. The chalk beds on the south coast and increasingly warmer weather, create a similar climate to that of the Champagne region. Vineyards have been cropping up in many areas of Sussex and now established are beginning to encourage experts across the world. They have received vast amounts of press and been highlighted by the government as a key growth export market for the UK. This only seem natural as it was documented in 1649, long before Champagnes were invented the Brit Christopher Merret described the bottle fermentation process, saying when the liquid was kept in a sealed glass bottle it caused it to become fizzy.

Another market with a growing fan base is Craft keg beer. Real ale fans might blanch at the thought (and taste) of keg beer, but craft keg is another beast altogether, featuring boldly flavored lagers, IPAs and stouts from a new wave of technically savvy breweries such as Camden Town Brewery and Brew dog.

In 2011 we saw the beginning of a new type of restaurant, the ‘pop up’. Here today, gone tomorrow is the philosophy behind this new cultural trend. So in 2012 this market is going to grow a expect a wave of pop-up bars. Leading the way already is the North Bar in Leeds with Mr Frothy, an old ice cream van for hire which chimes usher in the promise of a pint rather than a choc ice.

Believe it or not, the cider Market can yet again expect strong growth. Even though cider topped with handfuls of ice cubes is not such the cool thing it was several years back. We can expect an emphasis on single varieties and single orchard ciders in 2012.

Gin continues to shake off its mother’s ruined image, with a huge wave of new products entering the Market, and people are starting to understand the process behind this great drink. Single estate distillers Chase Distillery are now talking about how the alcohol is produced and sourced, all adding to our understanding of this fascinating spirit.

Although the rate is slowing, and too many pubs are still closing, the so-called ‘craft beer bars’ such as Cask in London and Port Street Beer House in Manchester, will continue to open and thrive, as their young hip clientele seek real ale and craft keg beers with the emphasis on artisan producers.

Let 2012 be a year that all the British’s people can be proud of, So when you are next doing a shop look out for these brands baring the union jack, and become converted.