Mourne Mountains Brewery lands Sainsbury's deal

The chain is to stock three beers from the Warrenpoint-based brewery’s core range, Mourne East Coast IPA, Mourne Gold Pale Ale and Mourne Mist Pilsner.

This news follows the brewery’s listing with Marks and Spencer in April with Great Taste award-winning brew Red Trail.

“We are absolutely delighted to be supplying to another major supermarket in Northern Ireland, extending the choice available for discerning beer drinkers,” said brewery founder Connaire McGreevy.

“As a local company that prides itself on its use of local resources, it is massively exciting to feature alongside established global brands, offering consumers the option to support local brewing and produce. The bonus for our customers is that as well as knowing they’re supporting a local business, the beer really is top notch.

“We have received great support from the local hospitality industry since launching in 2015, with award-winning restaurants including Bull & Ram in Ballynahinch and Wine & Brine in Moira, amongst other great dining establishments, all stocking our beers.

“We’re currently producing the equivalent of 250,000 bottles of beer per year to meet demand and expect that to grow significantly over the next year,” he added.

Mourne Mountains Brewery is one of only five NI-based breweries to achieve the Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) accreditation award, which allows the sale of products to national retailers who require the accreditation from their small suppliers.

Red Trail red IPA won two stars at the Great Taste Awards 2016, the only beer from Northern Ireland to achieve that accolade in 2016.