Innis & Gunn launch beer for ‘Dry January’

Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn has launched its first no-alcohol craft beer with added vitamins, which is set to tap into demand during ‘Dry January’.

Pic Alan Richardson Dundee, Pix-AR.co.uk
Innis and Gunn, Innes and None Alcohol Free Pale Ale

The new limited edition Innis & None pale ale contains vitamin C, ginseng and guarana – supplements which the company says are known to boost the immune system, give energy, aid weight loss and enhance athletic performance.

It is available in 330ml cans online as well as at the brewery’s three beer kitchens in Edinburgh, Dundee and St Andrews, but is set to go on sale in Tesco in March.

The brewery’s founder and master brewer Dougal Gunn Sharp said it was the versatility of beer that excited him as a brew, arguing that “great beer does not necessarily have to contain alcohol”.

“We approached brewing Innis & None, as we do with any of our beers, using quality ingredients to produce a bold flavoursome taste.”

The beer contains a mixture of hops designed to give it a full, hoppy flavour and includes Columbus, Tomahawk, Zeus, Magnum, Hercules and Apollo.

“Taking the alcohol content down to zero is part of our belief that beer is for everyone, even those who don’t or can’t consume alcohol. I believe this pale ale stands up to the best of them. With the added Vitamin C and ginseng, you’re now also getting a boost to the immune system for the New Year.”

In the summer, the company told db of its plans to develop a range of seasonal beers having acquired a new brewery at Inveralmond in April, last year. Gunn Sharp said innovation was a key focus, with the Inveralmond brewery acting as an “innovation hub” to develop new lines. The company had also formed of a three-year plan to scale up production and treble its output as well as opening more bars across Scotland the UK, which were used as a test bed for new products.

In November the brewery stepped up its ambition to establish bars in England and internationally after raising more than £2.5 million in a  crowd-funding campaign, and smashing its original target in 72 hours.