What’s on at Boutique Bar Show 2016
As Boutique Bar Show heads to London next week, showcasing the latest trends and products to the UK drinks industry, SB reveals what’s in store…
Boutique Bar Show returns to London for its ninth year, taking up residency in a brand new venue: a 19th century converted stable opposite Old Spitalfields Market.
The show takes place on 20 September and visitors can expect to find more than 100 drinks brands, international bar presentations and new product launches.
This year’s event is also set to introduce a new ‘business of bars’ area with presentations ranging from Recruitment and Retention of Staff to Presenting Yourself. Guests will also be able to take part in ice carving workshops with Suntory ambassador Zoran Peric, Armagnac blending sessions with Lauvia Armagnac and even the return of a secret bar.
Boutique Bar Show founder Andrew Scutts said: “We are really excited about this amazing new venue as it is a big step up for us, and the perfect setting to showcase new and innovative brands alongside some of the world’s leading bars.
“At the event, visitors can find interesting products that can benefit the business, take inspiration from world leading speakers and develop important new business contacts within our intimate show atmosphere.”
To register for the show, sign up to take part in workshops and masterclasses, and view the full list of exhibitors, see boutiquebarshow.com.
Fentiman’s
“We are targeting high end, premium customers who are searching for a quality soft drink and/or mixer offering,” Jaala Pickering, event marketing manager at Fentimans says.
“We’ll be highlighting our mixer range as well as our soft drinks including the new Sparkling Lime and Jasmine which was launched earlier this year. In addition to this we’ll have our alcoholic ginger beer which is now available in 330ml as well as the existing 500ml.”
“We’re also about to launch a fiery Hollows in 330ml which is a spicier version of the original Hollows. Customers will get a chance to be one of the first people to try this new product.”
On tapping into current trends, “cocktails are getting more and more popular, with people getting more adventurous with their serves. We’re always discovering serves and new spirits that work well with our products and we’ll be showcasing these at the show.”
Poetic License
As a small-batch producer less than a year old, Poetic License believes exhibiting at Boutique Bar Show will help it connect with people specifically looking for premium and niche products, reckons Grace Noon, the brand’s marketing manager.
“We have a core range of three products that we’ll be showcasing; Old Tom Gin, Northern Dry Gin and Graceful Vodka,” she details. “Northern Dry Gin (43.2%) is the gin- drinker’s choice, using a mix of 13 botanicals to produce a punchy flavour and was recently awards Gin Master from The Spirit Business.
“[Our] Old Tom Gin, is the only one of its category being made in the North of England. This gin delivers a sweeter and more peppery taste comparison to the Northern Dry Gin and is rested in oak ex-Sherry casks to give it a unique rose gold colour.
“Graceful Vodka is distilled seven times using traditional methods, which creates the highest quality product with a superior depth of flavour.
“The market is moving towards spirits that offer something that’s out the ordinary, whether that’s the batch size or the ingredients used. When it comes to Poetic License, both are small-scale, and do not conform to the norm so you can expect the unfamiliar.”
Silent Pool Distillers
For Silent Pool Distillers, Boutique Bar Show is the essential trade showcase for a brand entering the UK market. For the less knowledgeable visitors to the brand’s stand, Silent Pool can offer tastings and educate guests through its different vodkas, including wheat, rye and corn variants.
2016 will be the first year the Silent Pool Distillery Wry Vodka will be available to taste and discuss. Set for launch in early autumn, the vodka will take on other pouring level vodkas. Made from 100% rye grain spirit, Wry Vodka is distilled a second time with liquid produced from rye malted especially for Silent Pool in one of the last surviving traditional floor maltings in Warminster.
On trends, the brand believes that in the UK and in the US vodka is enjoying a resurgence, especially in the ‘craft’ sector.
In 2016/17, there could be a similar category growth to that shown in the gin market, the brand believes.
Spirit of Harrogate
Boutique Bar Show is an ideal event for new drink brands to promote their products to the trade and meet key industry contacts, Amy Mcleod, marketing manager at Spirit of Harrogate says.
“All brands are treated as equals and each get the exact same size and style stand, so the drinks themselves are able to take centre stage rather than be overshadowed by excessive stand decoration and props.
“We are focusing our efforts on trying to build our presence in London. We are looking to target premium bars, restaurants and hotels. We will be showcasing our award-winning Slingsby London Dry Gin, Slingsby Rhubarb gin and Slingsby Vodka.”
In terms of trends, gin has “always been popular but as more of the younger generation get into gin the more its popularity has grown.” Having a narrative behind it is also important for Mcleod. “Each gin brand has their own story and use their own mix of botanicals which makes that gin unique. Our gin was inspired by William Slingsby’s story and also Harrogate as a town.”
Visitors to the Spirit of Harrogate stand will be some of the first to try Slingby’s Navy Strength Gin.
