Scotland’s Inverlamond Brewery to Enter US Markets

Inverlamond Brewery

Perth, Scotland – Craft beer maker Inveralmond Brewery, based in the heart of Scotland, is about to make a splash in the USA, thanks to a deal with Iron Horse Beverage.

Beginning at the end of March, Iron Horse will distribute Rascal London Porter, one of Inveralmond’s most successful brands, to bars and retail stores in the USA, starting in New York and California. Two more Inveralmond brands will follow in the coming months.

Rascal London Porter, a rich dark beer with a 5.6% ABV and a combination of a spicy aroma and silky palate, is inspired by the mighty brewing styles of 18th century London. The London Porter is named after the porters who moved goods on and off ships and around London’s city streets.

Rascal forms part of Inveralmond’s Inspiration Series. Iron Horse Beverage will bring two more beers from the Series to the USA in the coming months: the Czech pilsner inspired brew Sunburst and Belgian Abbey beer inspired De Mons.

Iron Horse Beverage, which supplies beer to 35 states, met Inveralmond Brewery at Showcasing Scotland, a meeting of 100 Scottish food and drink companies and 140 international buyers last October at Scotland’s famous Gleneagles Hotel last October. The Iron Horse/Inveralmond deal is one of the first to come out of the event, organised by Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Development International, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise as part of Year of Food & Drink Scotland 2015.

With limited marketing behind it, Rascal has proved to be a big hit in the U.K., despite the crowded craft beer sector. It has sold the equivalent of 100,000 pints to date and won Champion Beer at the 2015 World’s Biggest Ale Festival, run by JD Wetherspoon, before it was officially launched. Sales are 40% to 50% more than anticipated, says Inveralmond Brewery.

Cliff Morello, Chief Executive Officer and President of Iron Horse Beverage, commented:

“The number one craft beer in the USA is the IPA, whereas not everybody has a Porter. That means less competition. And I’m a big proponent of authenticity. This brand comes from the Porter’s country of origin, so they know how to make it.”

Inverlamond Brewery Rascal London Porter

Bob Hogg, commercial director for Inveralmond Brewery, commented:

“Rascal has been a great hit in the UK and we fully expect it to cause a stir in the USA. We believe its interesting combination of flavours makes it unique in the market. The same can be said for our whole Inspiration Series, which we’re delighted to see launched into an exciting and fast-growing craft beer sector in the USA. We’re also happy to see a positive outcome from Showcasing Scotland and last year’s Year of Food & Drink Scotland celebration.”

Rascal London Porter first started to hit Britain’s pubs and off-trade in February 2015 as part of Inveralmond’s Inspiration Series. It won Champion Beer at the 2015 World’s Biggest Ale Festival, run by British pub chain JD Wetherspoon, before it was officially launched. As a result it was featured on JD Wetherspoon’s national guest ale list during July and August 2015. Sales are now 40% to 50% more than anticipated.

A rich dark beer with notes of silky mocha flavours, Rascal has a spicy aroma and a complex, mellow finish. Named Beer of the Week by The Herald newspaper, Rascal was described by beer columnist Colin Campbell as “full of life and character… [with a] long, amiable bittersweet finish that hugs you and asks, very persuasively, for more. A brilliant beer.”

In developing the 5.6% ABV beer, Inveralmond Brewery was inspired by the mighty brewing styles of 18th century London, a place where rascals prevailed. “Our new product development team felt that it summed up the rugged rascals that were around in London at that time,” says Hogg.

As well as being sold in the UK on-trade and off-trade, Rascal has been shipped to Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy.

About Inveralmond Brewery

Opened on 14th May 1997, The Inveralmond Brewery is an expert craft brewer of a range of beers including Lia Fail, Ossian, Thrappledouser and Santa’s Swallie. Situated at the very heart of Scotland, in Perth, the Brewery nestles between the fabulous rolling hills of Perthshire, the mighty Grampian mountain range and is surrounded by crystal clear rivers, providing inspiration and nourishment for the beers it produces and exports around the globe.

About Iron Horse Beverage

Iron Horse Beverage was founded in 2004 by Cliff Morello and Christopher Murray to provide beverage wholesalers and retailers with high quality beverages from around the world, from energy drinks to beer and organic juices. Iron Horse is headquartered in Melville, New York.