US: SABMiller develops unique chocolate lager

SABMiller plc announced October 12 that it continues to develop its specialist beer portfolio with an innovative chocolate beer, uniquely brewed with six different malts, including a dark chocolate malt.

Under the name ‘Frederick Miller Classic Chocolate Lager’, the beer has been developed after extensive research by SABMiller’s US subsidiary, Miller Brewing Company, and will launch in the US in time for the important Christmas season. The brewing process, incorporating cacao nibs for an authentic taste, returns to original brewing methods used by Miller Brewing’s founder Frederick Miller in 1855 and marries this with the latest innovations in brewing to produce the most complex chocolate taste to date.
Dr. David Ryder, who is vice president of Brewing, Research and Quality Assurance for the Miller Brewing Company, said: “Given that chocolate can have literally hundreds of flavour nuances, to develop a beer which bursts with chocolate flavour is incredibly difficult. We believe this lager has the most complex chocolate taste currently on the market. Its intense flavour, without the heaviness of other dark beers, is also a distinctive feature which will appeal to both men and women alike.”

Dr. Ryder is a member of the Brewing Science Group of the European Brewery Convention (EBC) and is also deputy president of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

The Classic Chocolate Lager has already won the gold medal at the 2005 Great American Beer Festival in the Herb and Spice Category under the name “Temptation Bock”. Manny Manuele, Consumer Science Manager within Miller's Technical Division and a member of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD), London, added: “Classic Chocolate Lager continues Miller’s innovation as a brewer. This bold lager meets the standards of quality, taste and brewing expertise that Frederick Miller set when he founded our company in 1855, and delivers the gold medal credentials that only Miller Brewing Company can provide.”

SABMiller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across five continents. The group’s brands include premium international beers such as Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional range of market leading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.

In the year ended 31 March 2006, the group reported US$15,307 million in revenues and profit before tax of US$2,453 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.

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