Cassava beer wows at expo

Red Stripe's future-brewery booth at the JMA/JEA's Expo Jamaica 2014 made a resounding impression on patrons in attendance when local manufacturers showcased their products and services to thousands of consumers and buyers.

Red Stripe, which is exported to the United States and the United Kingdom, has over the years become an iconic Jamaican product and easily one of the most popular Brand Jamaica items overseas, with a growing fan base ranging from the Jamaican diaspora to beer connoisseurs.

The company's booth at the expo replicated the inside of a factory and patrons 18 years and older sampled the favourite brew made with locally grown sweet cassava tubers as well as with barley, the traditional starch source used in the brewing process.

using local products

In January of this year, the brewing giant and Agro Investment Corporation joined forces to launch of Project Grow, an initiative aimed at reducing the influx of imported ingredients used on local production lines by using locally grown, sustainable crops as substitutes.

"Many patrons were surprised that we have made a change in the ingredients of their favourite brew and even more surprised that there was no difference in the taste of the beer made with cassava. We have found a locally grown substitute that will maintain the same crisp taste we have come to love since 1938 while supporting our agricultural industry," said Nicholas Bogle, logistics and customer service manager, Red Stripe.

The one-litre Red Stripe and Guinness bottles were also introduced to consumers visiting the booth. This bottle is meant to be a group-sharing choice for friends. The response to the one-litre bottle was positive.