Hartwall is the first brewer in Finland to launch a beer that’s specially intended to be enjoyed with food. Hartwall seeks to bolster Finnish beer culture with these beers, which have been very successful in consumer taste tests.
Finns are increasingly keen to cook both everyday and festive meals, and cooking shows and magazines have never been more popular. The new 1836 Classic Gourmet caters to the needs of consumers – until now, the range of beers has not included a brew intended as a food accompaniment. The new food beer was developed in Finland and is brewed at Hartwall’s brewery in Tornio.
There are few beers anywhere in the world that are intended to complement the flavours of food. The Gourmet range was developed with brewmasters and head chefs and includes a dark beer to be paired with meat dishes and a lighter lager to accompany fish and chicken. Try the new beers with your Father’s Day dinner or to accompany food at Christmas parties.
“Studies show that consumers seek to pair their food with high-quality, stylish beers that have a stronger taste. The Gourmet beer is brewed with carefully selected noble hops that are late hopped for a taste that rounds out the flavours of the food. The food and beer complement each other,” says Pekko Koski, Brand Manager, Premium Beers at Hartwall.
Praised in consumer tests
1836 Classic Gourmet Dark is a Münchener-type full malt beer with a rich, yet refined and slightly sweet flavour and a reddish copper colour. 1836 Classic Gourmet Blond in turn is a Pils-type full-malt beer that has a fruity, pleasantly bitter and fresh flavour, and a beautiful golden colour. Pre-launch consumer tests were carried out on the beers and they were both very highly rated.
“We haven’t previously had a beer that’s specially designed to complement the meal experience. Of course, beer in general makes for a great food accompaniment. In this, too, we’ve sought to be the innovative leader in the beverage industry by coming up with a beer that food loves,” says Koski.
1836 Classic Gourmet beers will be sold in 0.5 litre refillable glass bottles. Both beers are 4.6% ABV. The beers will be sold at Ruokakesko stores as from 3 November 2008 and at other outlets as from early 2009.
For additional information, contact:
Hartwall Ltd, Brand Manager Pekko Koski, pekko.koski@hartwall.fi, tel. +358 20 717 2695 or External Communications Manager Tuija Kleimola, tuija.kleimola@hartwall.fi, tel. +358 20 717 2595
Product and food photos: http://kuvapankki.hartwall.fi