Squadron Cleared For Take-Off!

Back in August we entered the bottled version of 92 Squadron into the 2008 Tesco Beer Awards. Not sure why, but we did. Previous entries into award schemes fell flat because (we have since heard) we took the decision to to filter the beer, rather than providing each bottle with a debatable sediment. You'd think we were manufacturing a pastuerised chemical substance from the reaction such a move draws from certain quarters, but we know what is best. And that is a well brewed beer, using only natural raw materials. We then filter out any protein, and bottle it (via our bottlers). There is still some yeast in the beer (albeit a very tiny amount), and the beer still ages as it should. What it doesn't have is a sediment formed of processed yeast (which may or may not be from a traditional brewers yeast...) that does little beyond add some fizz if you are lucky, bugger up the flavour, and quite likely end up in your pint. Which is nice.

Anyway, we entered, just for fun. And would you know it, we've won. So now 92 Squadron is the winner of the 2008 Tesco Drinks Award - Regonal Beer (East). Which means that we have a listing with Tesco across 120-ish stores around East Anglia. And that is no small thing. This all starts in March 2008, and so we are now deep into expansion plans, including our own bottling line, and as investigations progress, it becomes more and more obvious that we will not be placing all our Eggs into one basket - the Tesco business, whilst important, will not be our major source of business. So, if it all comes together, we may well have lift-all round - and not just with the high-flying 92 Squadron.

And no, we won't be putting bits in the bottom. Real ale is about the the whole brewing process, not just bits in a bottle. Anyone can put bits in - it's the natural, traditional, quality & honesty of the brewing and the beer that matters.

I may even shave the beard off as well....