It’s back to the future for Bishop’s Tipple, which is returning to the ale shelves after a seven-year absence.
The classic West Country strong ale is being relaunched in a bottle format and will be featuring in Sainsbury’s Drinks Festival this month.
Fiona Bayley, Sainsbury’s buyer for ales, stouts and cider, said: “We have seen quite a good expansion in the number of speciality products that people want.”
She added: “The festival allows us to give good coverage across Britain for the regional lines that have done well.”
Gibbs Mew ceased brewing the 6.5% abv ale in 1998 when it closed its Salisbury brewery, but
Wadworth of Devizes revived the brand last year and brought it back in draught form to pubs in Wiltshire.
Fred West, Wadworth sales director, said: “The Bishop’s Tipple has been a legend among ale drinkers since it was first brewed in 1973. It always was deceptively drinkable for a higher strength beer, tasting both complex and delicate at the same time.”
Bottled Bishop’s Tipple will be on sale at 25% off during Sainsbury’s Drinks Festival, down from £1.89 to £1.41 a bottle.