Claxton’s Spirits to showcase award-winning Core Range at 2026 Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB)
It’s time to light your interest in the Claxton's Core Range at this year’s Northern Restaurant & Bar, on 10-11 March at Manchester Central.
Some 12,100 visitors and 400+ exhibitors are expected at the North of England’s leading hospitality trade event.
Small batch. Big ideas
Claxton’s Spirits produce highly distinctive single-cask releases, setting their own gold standard in a fluctuating global market that can sometimes fold its arms to innovation.
In a UK drinks industry beleaguered by rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainty, Claxton’s philosophy is quality over volume-driven conveyor belt production, while remaining scalable enough to meet repeat trade demand.
The Claxton’s Core Range is now available in 26 countries.
Shelf confidence
Meticulous cask maturation includes wood management – the cradle of flavour in their Core Range. The aroma, texture and finish of a ruby port finish, for example, is a world away from a re-charred oak cask.
Each bottle’s self-confidence and label appeal stand out alone on the back bar, or as part of the wider collection, with expressions also adding clout to premium cocktail ranges.
That’s why Claxton Spirit has built a solid reputation in the on and off trades.
Bars and restaurants offering independent bottlings gain a point of difference, while for retailers, limited, repeatable small-batch expressions are commercial and collectable.
Says Adrian Hoose, Director: “The global market is under pressure, but we know that customers are looking for authenticity and crafted spirits.
Consumers and trade buyers want to hear the liquid’s story, taste a clear flavour identity, and enjoy unimpeachable quality.
We look forward to illuminating you at the Northern Restaurant & Bar Show, where you’ll experience Claxton’s Core Range firsthand!
Feel free to discuss our maturation philosophy with the team and discover how independent Scotch can elevate classic and contemporary serves.”
Sell-Out Success Sparks Second Award-Winning Limited-Edition Launch from DropWorks
Europe’s largest premium rum distillery DropWorks Rum is launching the second of its hand-selected, limited-edition Drops after the first sold out within a matter of hours – and the new liquid has already won a coveted industry award.
Part of the highly collectable Distiller’s Drops series, the newest limited Drop is a unique example of modern British rum crafted in the DropWorks distillery and selected from the DropWorks’ barrel store, nestled in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.
Distiller’s Drop #002, which has already won Gold in the Spirits Business Rum and Cachaça Masters 2026, debuts following the success of the series’ inaugural release in November which sold out within 48 hours of going live to the public.
Limited to 900 bottles, Distiller’s Drop #002 is a small batch cask release crafted for those who love rich, full flavoured rum. Matured for 28 months in Bordeaux red wine casks, the wine-infused oak has enriched the British-made rum with vibrant notes of wild strawberries, a crackle of black pepper and the caramelised snap of crème brûlée. Bottled at a confident 50.7% ABV, the Drop marries elegance with intensity.
This second limited edition DropWorks release will be unveiled at an exclusive launch event at the Black Parrot in London on Tuesday 17th March, ahead of public release on Monday 23rd. Attendees will take a deep dive into the limited-edition Drop with a guided tasting led by DropWorks Founder and Master Distiller Lewis Hayes and a first look at the story behind the latest release, including the production process as well as the barrels which were selected to shape the rums distinctive character.
Lewis said: “The initial launch of our Distiller’s Drop #001 was a huge success, with rum enthusiasts and eager spirit explorers snapping up the first limited release within hours.
“Since opening our doors in 2023, everything has been building towards our exclusive Drop series, and we’re excited to be able to continue to explore the distinct flavours that different casks can impart on rum with the introduction of Distiller’s Drop #002. The vibrant fruity and caramel notes infused into this Drop by the Bordeaux cask show the real diversity of rum.
“With its limited availability, I recommend enjoying it neat, or over ice, to fully experience its flavours. However, it can also be used to beautifully elevate classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned.”
Investors who supported the brand during its successful crowdfunding campaign can also enjoy access to the presale for Distiller’s Drop #002, starting Wednesday 18th March, and email subscribers will also get early access a few days later that week, ahead of the public.
The Distillery offers a core range of five British-made Drops, providing ‘rum for everyone’ and consisting of Barrel Drop, Clear Drop, Dark Drop, Funk Drop and Spice Drop - the first spiced rum made without any added spices.
DropWorks represents a significant step forward for British rum. Based in the heart of Sherwood Forest (in the largest premium rum distillery in Europe) the brand is on a mission to put the whole spirit category well and truly on the map. With a focus on quality ingredients and a fresh perspective, every Drop is designed to unlock creativity behind the bar and bring joy in the glass.
GuestRevu and Cask Marque to showcase pub ratings partnership at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2026
GuestRevu and Cask Marque will be showcasing their new partnership at Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) 2026, where visitors can see how CaskFinder pint ratings can be viewed alongside online guest reviews in a single GuestRevu dashboard. NRB takes place 10–11 March 2026 at Manchester Central, bringing together hospitality operators and suppliers from across the North and beyond.
Visitors to NRB can visit Cask Marque and GuestRevu on stand NG100 to see the integration and talk to the teams about how the data can be used to improve standards, service and the guest experience.
The partnership means Cask Marque-accredited pubs can now view CaskFinder pint ratings within their GuestRevu dashboard, giving pub teams a clearer view of customer feedback on both beer quality and the wider guest experience in one place. Each pint rating is timestamped and attributed to the beer served, making it easy to spot patterns over time, compare performance across locations, and identify whether feedback points to cellar practice, bar operations, or the broader guest experience.
“The CaskFinder App has been helping beer lovers across the UK find a great pint for years, but we saw the opportunity to put that feedback data into the hands of the pub operators, so that they can use it to improve standards, service, and the guest experience,” said Chris Alexandre, Founder and CEO at GuestRevu. “By bringing CaskFinder pint ratings into GuestRevu alongside public review data, pub operators get one clear view of what customers experience in their pubs, and what owners, managers and teams can change or enhance to be even better.”
GuestRevu helps pub and hospitality teams capture, understand and act on guest feedback — from day-to-day service issues through to reputation management and long-term operational improvements. In addition to bringing beer ratings into the same view as guest sentiment, GuestRevu supports:
• Online reputation management, including monitoring and responding to public reviews
• Multi-location visibility, helping groups compare performance across sites and identify trends
• Guest feedback collection, via quick surveys shared by QR code or email
• Rooms feedback automation, for pubs with rooms that want to capture feedback across the full guest journey
• AI-powered tools, to surface themes, spot trends, and respond to reviews more efficiently
CaskFinder pint ratings are now available at no extra cost to any Cask Marque, Beer Marque or Perfect Pint Promise accredited pub using GuestRevu, from GuestRevu LITE (which is free forever) through to all paid GuestRevu packages. Visit Cask Marque at NRB to see it in action
About GuestRevu
GuestRevu provides award-winning guest feedback and online reputation management tools tailor-made for the hospitality industry, enabling hoteliers worldwide to gain a deeper, guest-focused understanding of operational strengths and weaknesses, monitor and manage their online reputation and reviews, and improve guest satisfaction. Listening to and learning from guests enables hoteliers to drive more direct bookings, build lasting loyalty and ultimately increase revenue. As a Tripadvisor Platinum Review Collection Partner, GuestRevu also gives clients the opportunity to boost their online reviews and ratings on the world’s largest review site.
About Cask Marque
Cask Marque is an independent organisation funded by brewers, pub groups and trade bodies with the aim of improving beer quality in pubs through an accreditation scheme. A network of over 50 qualified assessors around the country makes over 20,000 visits a year to nearly 10,000 pubs where the award is held. The beers are tested for temperature, taste, aroma and appearance, and accredited pubs are sent the Cask Marque plaque to display, along with a certificate and other point of sale. Their CaskFinder app enables beer drinkers to find pubs serving great beer earn prizes on the World’s Biggest Ale Trail, and find instant beer information with its pump clip recognition.
Pago Premium Fruit Juice
Written by: Libby M
Stand No: NE69
Tell us a bit about your company:
With a history spanning back to 1888, Pago’s original core values still ring true today.
It’s green distinctive bottle captures the secret of taste intensity through a broad number of delicious fruity flavours.
Pago juices are produced from natural fruits, sourced from the best fruit growers in the world to provide a special experience to savour.
The brand today is indispensable in bars, cafés and restaurants across Europe such as France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, UK and is desired by consumers in over 30 countries world-wide.
With 14 delicious flavours, it offers consumers an unparalleled choice that’s sure to please.
Exclusively available to the on trade. Vegan and Gluten Friendly!
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
With a diverse range of 14 flavours, from timeless classics to exotic and berry options, Pago brings versatility and luxury to any menu. Perfectly suited as premium soft drinks, mixers, cocktail/mocktails, or smoothie ingredients, Pago can elevate the hospitality experience.
Try our newest flavour, Pago Dragonfruit Guava! With its vibrant pink colour, velvety texture, as well as its unique exotic taste and smell, Pago Dragonfruit Guava provides a sensory experience for a moment of intense indulgence.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
Branda Branda launches hospitality-focused design studio
Branda launches as a new creative studio specialising in uniforms and merchandise for the hospitality industry
Branda has officially launched as a creative design studio focused on uniform styling and merchandise design for hospitality-led businesses. Working across restaurants, cafés, bars, and hotels, Branda helps brands translate their identity into considered, well-made pieces that work both on and off the floor.
With a background in uniform production, Branda offers a full end-to-end service, supporting clients from initial concept through to final manufacture. The studio’s approach removes the complexity often associated with uniforms and merchandise, delivering thoughtful design solutions without adding pressure to already busy hospitality teams.
By combining practical industry knowledge with a design-led mindset, Branda creates uniforms and merchandise that feel purposeful, wearable, and aligned with the brand long-term, rather than short-term or trend-led.
Branda is now working with hospitality businesses across the UK.
Frobishers Sparkling Range Gets a Glow-Up
New Look, New Flavours, Same Exceptional Taste
Frobishers, the award-winning B Corp producer of premium fruit drinks, is delighted to unveil a refreshed look for its canned sparkling range, now featuring three exciting new flavours: Raspberry Lemonade, Sparkling Cherry, and Sparkling Elderflower.
The refreshed range combines contemporary, eye-catching packaging with on-trend flavour profiles that meet growing consumer demand for bold, yet approachable, drinks. The collection balances fruity sweetness, floral notes, and crisp effervescence, making it perfect for casual sipping, summer serves, or premium mixers in cocktails.
New flavour highlights for trade buyers:
• Raspberry Lemonade – Vibrant raspberries meet zesty lemonade in a perfectly balanced, lively sip.
• Sparkling Cherry – Deep-red cherries deliver a rich, juicy flavour with a refreshing fizz.
• Sparkling Elderflower – Subtle floral notes mingle with gentle bubbles for a delicate, easy-drinking option.
Fan favourites Sicilian Lemonade and Apple & Elderflower have also had a “glow-up” with refreshed designs, keeping the range modern, premium, and perfect for any hospitality setting.
All Frobishers sparkling drinks are lightly fizzy and under 60 calories per can, aligning with modern menus and consumer trends for lighter, better-for-you refreshment options.
Charlotte Stainforth, Marketing & Brand Manager at Frobishers, said:
"Our sparkling range brings vibrant, trend-led flavours to the bar. The refreshed packaging and new additions make it simple for pubs, bars, and restaurants to offer something distinctive, delicious, and premium."
John Breading, Sales Director at Frobishers, added:
"This refreshed range gives trade partners a real opportunity to drive sales with standout flavours and striking packaging. These drinks are designed to attract attention, delight customers, and encourage repeat purchases."
The refreshed Frobishers sparkling range is available now for trade customers.
TONIC & MIXER MASTERS AWARDS
For an Award-Winning Signature Serve, Just Add Fitch — Proud Recipient of the 2025 Tonic & Mixer Masters Gold & Silver Awards." These Awards were published in the July edition of 'The Spirits Business'.
Flomatic to Launch EcoHold 16 Powered by EcoBurner at NRB Show 2026
Flomatic, a leading provider of sustainable foodservice equipment and buffet solutions, today announces the launch of the new EcoHold 16 Powered by EcoBurner at the prestigious NRB Show 2026 in Manchester, highlighting the company’s continued focus on innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency in hospitality and catering.
The EcoHold 16, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern foodservice operations, is a compact, mobile hot-and-cold holding unit that operates entirely without electricity, cables, or water - delivering consistent temperature control through advanced EcoBurner technology and reusable cool packs. The unit holds up to 16 standard GN 1/1 pans or 8 sheet pans, making it ideal for satellite service, smaller venues, or busy buffet stations where space and manoeuvrability are crucial.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the EcoHold 16 at the NRB Show,” said Martin Chester, Operations Director “This new model brings all the performance and flexibility of the EcoHold range into a more compact form factor, empowering chefs, caterers, and operators to deliver hot and cold food service with zero reliance on mains power - a true breakthrough in sustainable service.”
The EcoHold family also includes the EcoHold 32, a larger capacity unit designed for high-volume banqueting and buffet operations. Sharing the same ThermoFlex holding technology, both sizes provide up to five hours of reliable temperature control for hot or chilled food without electricity or batteries, enabling greater flexibility for live events and off-site service.
In addition to the EcoHold range, Flomatic will showcase its waterless buffet dish solutions, including the EcoServe range of chafing dishes. These products eliminate the need for water baths or steam, streamline setup and breakdown, and enhance food hygiene and presentation - key priorities for modern venues aiming to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
Visit Flomatic at Stand NA91 during the NRB Show 2026 to see live demonstrations and discover how EcoBurner-powered solutions can support safer, cleaner, and more sustainable foodservice operations.
Chemisphere & Beer Piper putting quality first to deliver cost savings for clients
Chemisphere and Beer Piper are sister companies on a mission to raise the bar in our industry where quality standards are concerned.
Chemisphere is home of the original Purple Pipeline colour changing beer line cleaner and Beer Piper is home of the ground-breaking automated beer line cleaning system.
Both companies are reminding outlets that they’re here to make beer line cleaning simpler, safer, quicker and cheaper.
Beer Piper's next generation BP5 machine incorporates all the amazing capabilities of its predecessors as well as a host of new game-changing features. It replicates a traditional manual beer line cleaning sequence: flushing with water, dosing with chemicals, leaving to soak and ending with a final flush of water, while recording and reporting every step to the Beer Piper cloud-based portal. It naturally uses the superior products produced by Chemisphere.
As establishments now turn their attention to summer in order to cash in on the imminent upturn in patrons. Carrying out deep cleans on your lines as well as putting in place the correct processes will ensure that you have positioned yourself perfectly for the upcoming summer rush. As the old adage goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
Linda Adamson, Marketing Manager at Chemisphere and Beer Piper, said “Summertime signals one of the most important sales periods for pubs, bars and restaurants so it’s vital that establishments prepare for this busy period in order to impress their customers and win that all important repeat custom.”
“I couldn’t agree more” said Allan Stevenson, Draught Quality Training Manager at Chemisphere. He continued “people only buy a second pint based on the quality of the first and a good pint starts with exceptional line hygiene and immaculately clean glass ware”.
Jeff Singer, Commercial Director at Beer Piper added “Beer Piper takes care of your line cleaning so you can focus more time and energy on your customers. Not only does it free up your time, it can also save you money by reducing wastage and negating the need to use costly gases. It’s no secret that times are tough and businesses are worried and the hospitality industry is no exception. Identifying new money saving measures is at the forefront of everyone’s minds and this is where Beer Piper can really help.”
The Beer Piper system is easy to use and can result in major cost savings for clients by reducing the amount of time staff spend on the task – a clean takes just 8.5 minutes! Not only does the system improve staff efficiencies, but it also ensures consistent high quality cleans are achieved every time. The sealed system mixes the neat beer line cleaner with fresh water directly into the lines, ensuring the correct dilution rate regardless of flow.
The superior quality chemicals used and supplied by Chemisphere ensure lines are immaculate and allow clients to serve the best pints possible. Another advantage of this is that with time clients can go longer between cleans. The automated nature of the system also means that there is no need to manually mix these chemicals thus reducing the associated risks to staff.
Visit chemisphereuk.com and beerpiper.co.uk for more information.
Goslings Rum joins Paragon Brands to build UK presence
Paragon Brands has been appointed the exclusive UK distributor for Goslings Rum, marking a significant new chapter for one of the world’s most historic rum brands as it accelerates its presence in the UK market.
From this month, Paragon Brands will assume full responsibility for the Goslings portfolio in the UK. The partnership brings together Goslings’ enduring brand strength with Paragon Brands’ proven capability to build momentum in one of the world’s most competitive spirits markets.
Founded in Bermuda in 1806, Goslings is a family-owned rum producer now in its eighth generation. The brand is best known globally for Goslings Black Seal Rum and as the creator of the national drink of Bermuda, the iconic Dark ’n Stormy® cocktail. With more than two centuries of heritage, Goslings has earned a unique cultural status as The Official Rum of Leisure, a title celebrated through its role as the Official Rum of the 2025 Ryder Cup and the 2026 PGA Championship.
“Goslings is a brand with extraordinary heritage, a unique identity and global recognition,” said Chris Jones, Managing Director at Paragon Brands. “We aim to create the conditions for the brand to grow and reach its full potential in the UK. That means bringing The Official Rum of Leisure to more occasions and new audiences with greater focus, while staying true to what people already love about Goslings. It’s a natural fit alongside our existing portfolio and allows us to build on the rum expertise we have developed with our existing partner Pussers”.
Under the agreement, the Goslings range will benefit from Paragon’s nationwide, multi-channel distribution alongside expert on-trade and off-trade activation.
Goslings produces an award-winning portfolio spanning rum, ginger beer and ready-to-drink cocktails. At its core is Goslings Black Seal Rum, a premium dark rum aged between three and six years, Goslings Black Seal 151, an overproof expression made from the same blend, Goslings Spirited Seas Ocean Aged Rum, which completes a further year of maturation at sea aboard the HM Oleander, and Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum, a limited, annual release aged between 16 and 19 years and bottled once per year.
Alongside its rums, Goslings produces Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, developed specifically for use in the Dark ’n Stormy®, Goslings Finest Tonic Water, and the only authentic RTD Dark ’n Stormy® cocktail, available in a growing range of flavours.
Max Abbott, export director at Goslings said: “Paragon Brands demonstrated a clear understanding of what Goslings stands for and our belief that rum should be about pleasure, quality and time well spent. Every expression in the Goslings range is rooted in that belief, from our signature Black Seal Rum to our aged rums and our Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, each designed to invite people to slow down and enjoy the moment.”
Customers are invited to get in touch with Paragon Brands for all enquiries and account management from now. For more information, visit www.paragonbrands.co.uk.
ENDS
About Paragon Brands
Paragon Brands is a leading UK-based drinks company dedicated to developing global icons and homegrown innovators to thrive and endure in the UK market. The company represents and builds brands from around the world including Żubrówka, Licor 43, Anne Bonny, Caleño, Pusser's Rum, Goslings, and Martin Miller’s.
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