Heineken launches Red Stripe beer in duty free & builds emphasis on Strongbow cider as key brands for 2017 By Wendy Morley on October, 25 2016 | Spirits & Tobacco Heineken is strengthening its presence in the duty free market for 2017 with the addition of Red Stripe beer, having recently acquired majority shares in the classic Jamaican beer. Red Stripe complements the core Heineken Global Duty Free portfolio, which includes Heineken, Dos Equis, Newcastle Brown Ale and Tiger beer. A growing emphasis on Strongbow Apple Ciders is also underway as cider increases in popularity across the market. 1 Copyright DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. Koos Vrijlandt, Global Duty Free Account Manager Heineken, comments: “The HEINEKEN portfolio is solidly built on brands that express engaging, authentic stories and Red Stripe clearly has a powerful story to share in travel retail. The Red Stripe story began almost 90 years ago in Jamaica and HEINEKEN has already begun plans for the repatriation of production to the Kingston brewery by the end of this year, doubling its capacity, and reflecting our emphasis on authenticity and traditions that translate to exceptional taste.” Since its UK launch in 1962 Strongbow has grown to become the number 1 global cider brand in the world and the brand has innovated strongly over the past few years to surprise and delight consumers, including the expansion of a range of natural flavours always based on apple: Strongbow Gold, Elderflower, Red Berries, Honey, and British Dry. In addition, the brand has responded to rising consumer demands for healthier products with the introduction of Strongbow 0.0%, launched earlier this year and offering a stylish new option in alcohol-free sparkling drinks. 2 Copyright DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. Heineken BrewLock is a game-changing innovation is 25% lighter than regular draught systems and 100% disposable – reducing logistical, quality, and cost barriers that the cruise industry was facing. Brewlock won “Drinks Innovation of the Year” and “Supreme Champion” in the Drinks International Travel Retail Awards 2016, presented in October. A newly expanded portfolio of brands is now available on over 90 cruise-ships and ferries across the globe, as Koos Vrijlandt explains: “BrewLock is a powerful innovation that demonstrates the ability of Heineken to innovate exciting new solutions that not only deliver a stronger consumer experience but also create significant operational and logistical advantages for our customers, especially among the world’s leading cruise and ferry lines. We have expanded the range of brands offered in the BrewLock system in Global Duty Free, which 3 Copyright DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. includes Heineken and Newcastle Brown Ale, and we’re excited to announce at TFWA Cannes 2016 that we now offer our customers Heineken Light and Strongbow Apple Ciders, the world’s number one cider brand, in the BrewLock system. This expansion of the BrewLock portfolio not only creates exciting new options and advantages for our customers but also further expands consumer choice and gives them the perfect serve, thus enhancing the on-board experience. BrewLock was initially launched with cruise sector customers, provoking a hugely positive reaction, and is now operational on almost 100 cruise-ships and ferries across the globe.” 4 Copyright DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. As the official beer partner top the world’s most dynamic sport, Heineken is also proudly bringing the glamour of Formula 1 to the duty free market in 2017. This substantial partnership was fully launched at the newly renamed FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO HEINEKEN D’ITALIA 2016, in Monza (4th September), and runs for a multi-year term. From the 2017 F1 season onwards, Heineken will be the F1 Event Title Partner of three Formula 1 Grands Prix (GP), and will also have a significant presence at several F1 events. Central to the F1 partnership is a clearly articulated and compelling ‘responsibility’ message. The 5 Copyright DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. Formula 1 global platform will provide Heineken with even greater opportunities, globally and locally, to drive positive change. Consumers will be left in no doubt that Heineken and Formula 1 are both clear: “If You Drive, Never Drink.” 6 Copyright DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved..