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E-Billing, a brand new app

We are thrilled to announce the launch of E-Billing, our brand new web app designed to streamline your account management with BWH Drinks. As part of our commitment to improving our service and offering cutting-edge solutions, E-Billing is tailored to enhance your experience and give you greater control over your dealings with us.

Why E-Billing?

E-Billing provides you with an intuitive, secure, and easy-to-use platform to manage your account details from the comfort of your desktop or laptop. Key features include:

  • Real-Time Account Information: Check your account balance and credit limits anytime.

  • Invoice Management: View and download your invoices with just a few clicks.

  • Payment Review: Easily track your recent payment history.

  • Account Manager Access: Get direct access to your account manager’s contact details for any assistance or queries.

  • Essential Updates: Receive timely updates and important notices directly through the app.

To Register, follow this link and select “Request an account”.

Our team will validate your request and if you email is registered with us you will receive login details

Get Started with E-Billing

E-Billing is currently available on desktop and laptop devices. To start, simply click here and select “Request an Account”. The process is quick, straightforward, and will provide you with access to all your account details. For more information about E-Billing and how to use it, please take a look at our blog where we dive into using E-Billing

Should you need any assistance during setup or have any questions about using E-Billing, please do not hesitate to contact us at finance@bwhdrinks.co.uk or our customer services team on 01628 634 535.

We’re excited to offer you this new tool and we look forward to your feedback to make it even better. Thank you for being a valued customer at BWH Drinks. Let’s make managing your business needs simpler together.

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Q&A With Citizen Spritz

Citizen Spritz is a new disruptive, democratic and down-to-earth entrant into the alcohol-free market, offering a range of uniquely simple-to-serve Instant Spritz Mixes for a premium quality, perfectly balanced and beautifully bittersweet fizz.

We caught up with Co-Founder Mike Bagshaw for an insight into the current trends that are driving growth.

Q1 Firstly how do you define Alcohol-Free?

Also widely referred to as No & Low, I think the industry in general would agree the category covers all drinks that come in at 0.5% ABV or less, and which consumers view as a replacement for Beers, Wines and Spirits in an on-trade setting.

 Q2 Who is the No & Low Consumer?

Generally, they tend to be younger compared to total alcohol, often buying to consume less calories overall, and whilst taste is the number one driver, 3 out of 10 claim it benefits their physical health, and enhances their social reputation as it appears they’re holding a ‘drink’.
Q3 How big is the category and is it growing?

More than 20% of Brits now identify as non-drinkers and 10.6m consumers are actively avoiding alcohol according to a recent Kantar survey. Over the last 5 years the number of on-trade No & Low serves has increased fourfold and the 2023 vypr survey found that just over 56% of all alcohol drinkers buy alcohol-free versions of alcoholic drinks.

 Q4 How well prepared is the industry?

Like most trends, there are a number of early adopters, but the majority of premises carry a very limited range. In our own research in February 2023, we found 50% of venues only stocked one non-alcoholic spirit, although 70% had at least one bottled beer, but with 1 in 3 pub visits now entirely alcohol-free, that’s a limited choice for 1/3 of consumers.
Q5 What is the opportunity for the on trade?

We believe there is a massive trade-up opportunity for venues, simply by carrying a wider range of No & Low, as excluding soft drinks, circa 33% of visitors are having to choose from around 5% of the products on offer, often opting for low value drinks, especially with food and during the daytime.

 Q6 What are the plans for Citizen Spritz?

Whilst clearly, we’re on a journey with our brand, as we’re offering a unique, delicious and simple to serve Instant Spritz solution, we also want to play a role in building a dynamic category, sharing knowledge within the industry and encouraging stocking of a well curated selection of No & Low drinks.

Contact your Account Manager for more information on Citizen Spritz and our full range of low & no alcohol products.

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Introducing our new Wine Development Manager, Simon Gartside

People of a certain age always say they can recall where they were when an important event in history occurred. I can certainly remember where I was when I “found wine” and which wine it was that “found me”. Feel free to ask me where and what when we meet, the wine is still available now and I’m more than happy to drink it!

The great thing about wine, or should I say “one of the great things” is that there is so much choice. Here at BWH Drinks, we have gathered together an extensive selection of diverse wines from around many of the winemaking countries and regions of the world and we continue to look for wines to complement what we have and to keep our selection fresh and interesting. This said, it’s not all about frequently making changes, a selection of the wines we supply, have become well established in our portfolio and they remain as popular now as when we first found them. We work closely with our suppliers and indeed listen to our customers to make sure your offering is enticing and profitable.

It is always good to remember, that in the wine world, you do get what you pay for. The entry level works well and provides a good starting point on a wine menu.  But spending a bit more and providing customers with more choice, often unlocks entry to a world of difference. It is well worth looking at wines that may sit a little higher up the scale and which may deliver a real uplift in value for your customers. This is where the BWH Drinks team come in, by introducing you to the wines that we have to offer at different levels and price points.

I am delighted to have joined the team at BWH Drinks and I look forward to working with colleagues, suppliers and customers alike and to bringing this lovely liquid of whichever colour or style to an ever-growing audience for us all.

Cheers for now!

Simon

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MR HOBBS 150 – HERE TO STAY!

Gin has secured itself as a firm favourite in the social scene over recent years. Whether it be the classic gin & tonic or a gin infused cocktail offered in bars and restaurants, copa glasses are a common feature among on-trend party goers.

The choice of gins today is huge, so how do you choose the perfect gin offering for your establishment?
A great place to start is with local gin, Mr Hobbs 150. This award winning gin is to be sipped and appreciated. Bursting with nine botanicals including Lemon peel, Black Pepper and Grapefruit with notes of Elderflower and Green Cardamom finishing with refreshing Lemon Verbena. A serious Gin that will leave you wanting more! This is a luxurious libation and exquisitely balanced pair with a premium light tonic water, garnished with lime and ginger, or effortlessly enjoyed in a myriad of cocktails.

Suzy Hobbs, Director of Hobbs of Henley, told us, “We originally launched Mr Hobbs 150 London Dry Gin in 2020 as a limited edition to commemorate our 150th Anniversary of our family boating business Hobbs of Henley based in Henley-on-Thames. However, due to its award success and demand we have decided that Mr Hobbs 150 should be here to stay so will now be a permanent fixture in Mr Hobbs Gin line up!”

TASTING NOTE FROM IWSC

“ Lovely balanced nose of juniper and citrus with some underlying creaminess. Earthy spice coming through more on the palate leading to a beautiful, long, balanced finish.”

BWH Drinks is delighted to stock the complete collection from Mr Hobbs which includes award winning Mr Hobbs 150, Mr Hobbs Henley Gin, Mr Hobbs Raspberry & Elderflower and Mr Hobbs Rhubarb & Ginger.

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MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON SHORTAGES

MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON SHORTAGES
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most popular wines. It was first produced over 40 years ago and this crisp, dry, unoaked, fresh and fruity wine style was welcomed by UK consumers.

Today, more than five million glasses of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc are enjoyed worldwide every day, however demand is unlikely to be met in 2021 due to an exceptionally small harvest.

New Zealand has reported a 19% drop in grape crop for the 2021 vintage. The extreme spring frosts significantly impacted yields following an earlier-than-normal budburst due to the near-drought conditions in the three months leading up to the 2021 harvest. This has had a detrimental effect on white grape varieties in Marlborough.

Winegrowers in Marlborough are facing a perfect storm of reduced supply, increased production costs and ongoing labour shortages, due to the pandemic. However, the excitement about the herbaceous wine continues to grow, and with supply limited, meeting global demand for New Zealand sauvignon is not achievable and, where it is available, prices are high.

MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON ALTERNATIVE
South Africa is a great place to look for an alternative to New Zealand for Sauvignon Blanc as it has similar annual rainfall levels to Marlborough. Cool climate areas south of Cape Town are acquiring reputations for varieties like sauvignon.

Our recommendation for an accessible but inexpensive alternative to Marlborough sauvignon is South Island ‘kiwi Style’ Sauvignon Blanc.

SOUTH ISLAND ‘KIWI STYLE’ SAUVIGNON BLANC
Top-flight juice from the wonderful 2021 South African vintage. From the cool climate of Breede River Valley, this ‘kiwi style’ sauvignon is a good alternative to the New Zealand one.

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NO AND LOW ALCOHOL WORTH £94M

LOW AND NO TREND SET TO INCREASE

The low and no alcohol trend is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon, with the IWSR predicting that sales of no/low alcoholic beverages will increase by 31% in volume by 2024. Every year this category gets more exciting, as new products demonstrate interesting innovations and the standard of the offering goes up across the range.

TARGET HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS

Warner’s Distillery are no stranger to innovation. Their all-natural Rhubarb gin, a world first, was credited with kickstarting the ‘pink’ gin craze so it was only a matter of time before their attention turned to the no and low category.

The demand for no-and-low alcohol alternatives is booming. “Nearly half of all adults are looking to cut back on their alcohol intake and one in ten 18 to 24 year olds claim to be teetotal, says Warner’s co-founder, Tom Warner. “Consumers don’t want to compromise on flavour – and they shouldn’t have to.

“We’ve always prided ourselves with making all-natural gins, packed with botanicals from our gardens at Falls Farm and wanted to capture this with our epic 0% alcohol alternatives with real flavour, creating nature’s non-alcoholic spirits.”

Warner’s 0% Botanic Garden Spirits features two expressions; Pink Berry & Juniper Double Dry. Both are hand-crafted with all-natural botanicals & 90% of the ingredients are sourced directly from their family farm in the Northamptonshire countryside.

BWH Drinks are proud to stock a variety of Low and 0% drinks including spirits, beers and wines.

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LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

The on-trade has been hit hard by the pandemic with the goalposts continuously being moved, however the latest edition of CGA’s 2021 Consumer Forecast provides optimism for the future. The survey explores attitudes to the on-trade during lockdown. 

The results confirmed that consumers are really missing hospitality experiences with 80% prioritising a visit to the on-trade within a few weeks of opening.

Consumers have missed socialising and going out to eat and drink, 59% said they “can’t wait to go out again”. Confidence is also due to increase steeply in line with the rollout of vaccinations.

The first to return are likely to be younger and higher spenders on eating and drinking out. Engaging these consumers who value the quality of the experience along with safety will be an important factor for success.