BLACK SHEEP ‘TASTE THE DIFFERENCE’ AT SAINSBURY’S

The Black Sheep Brewery has secured a fantastic partnership with Sainsbury’s to brew a bespoke beer for its popular ‘Taste the Difference’ range.

The brewery, based in Masham, has brewed a Yorkshire Bitter, which is rigorously tested and independently reviewed to ensure that customers are buying the very best taste and quality.

Brewed in the heart of North Yorkshire, using traditional methods including the unique Yorkshire Square fermenting system which gives the beer its characteristic dry, refreshing bitterness along with Fuggle Hop, it is without a doubt a true Yorkshire bitter. The beer will be available nationwide in 375 Sainsbury’s stores.

Phil Douglas, Senior Brewer, said: “The process used to brew the bitter creates such archetypal Yorkshire beers, which we are immensely proud of. To create the distinctive Yorkshire Bitter flavour we use superior Maris Otter malt, a touch Demerara Sugar and a blend of hops including Fuggles and Golding.”

Jo Theakston, Director of Marketing and Off-Trade Sales for The Black Sheep Brewery said, “We are really pleased and proud that Sainsbury’s consider the Black Sheep Brewery’s bespoke Yorkshire Bitter to be an integral part of its prestigious ‘Taste the Difference’ range.”

Nicky Millington, Beers, Wine and Spirits Buyer from Sainsbury’s, said: “We are very pleased with the Yorkshire Bitter brewed by The Black Sheep Brewery for our quality Taste the Difference range. It is of the highest standard and taste, and incorporates all the ingredients of a traditional Yorkshire bitter.”

The Black Sheep Brewery in Masham made its first beer in 1992 after being built up by Paul Theakston, whose family had brewed in the area for six generations.
In a world of ever increasing bland, mass-produced beer Paul saw an opportunity to return to what his family had done best since 1827, making real beer in the time-honoured fashion.
An old maltings building, once part of Lightfoot’s Brewery became the Brewery’s home. This landmark building, which stands high over the banks of the Ure, had fallen in to disrepair as years of neglect as a semi-redundant grainstore had taken its toll. Paul assembled a small team around him to fight the rats and build a traditional country brewery.

The Black Sheep Brewery name derived from Masham’s association with sheep, but ‘Sheep Brewery’ didn’t quite sound right, so with a little creativity from Paul’s wife the Black Sheep Brewery was born, a name that sat well with the area, spoke volumes about the maverick attitude to the multi-nationals seeking to dominate the brewing industry and captured the essence of the family struggle that led to our birth.
Black Sheep Ale at 4.4% ABV, now in an eco-friendly lightweight bottle, continues to maintain its presence among the top ten premium bottled ale brands, and is available nationwide from virtually all the major supermarket retailers. It is a classic premium bitter and as with all Black Sheep beers, full of character derived from the best possible brewing materials, plenty of time and patience in the brewing and our very special Yorkshire Square fermenters.