A CASK ale and a broader range of bottled products are just some of the plans brewer Wells and Young’s has for the McEwan’s brand, which it acquired with fellow ale Younger’s from Heineken last week.
Under the ownership of Bedford-based Wells and Young’s, whose brands include Bombardier and Waggle Dance, McEwan’s will continue to be brewed by Heineken at the Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh. Wells and Young’s will set up a five-strong Edinburgh-based sales and marketing team.
Wells and Young’s MD Nigel McNally told SLTN both brands fit well with its portfolio. “We think there are lots of opportunities for McEwan’s in other parts of the UK,” he said.
Heineken UK’s John Gemmell told SLTN it will continue to supply McEwan’s to its free trade customers and S&NPC lessees. Jygsaw Brands, which marketed McEwan’s and Heineken’s other ‘heritage’ brands, has been wound up and the remaining brands put back into Heineken’s wider portfolio.
