Freeport, Grand Bahama – The Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company is pleased to announce that their truly Bahamian stout Strong Back was awarded the Grand Gold Quality award from the International Monde, 49^th World Selection awards earlier this year.

Strong Back, which was launched in 2008 right after the brewery’s lead product SANDS beer, was created with the intention to offer Bahamians their own stout, rich in taste but not bitter in after-taste. “I am very proud,” said James ‘Jimmy’ Sands, CEO of Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co. about the Strong Back Grand Gold award. “We were hoping Strong Back would do well but to be awarded the Grand Gold, the highest award they give out is incredible!”

This is yet another award for the all-Bahamian brewery, with High Rock receiving the prestigious Monde Selection Gold Quality Award earlier this year. The Monde Selections have been testing quality products since 1961 and their criteria for testing have been compared to Michelin stars for restaurants worldwide.  The stamp of approval awarded by Monde Selection quantifies the products you are producing, giving them internationally recognized quality product approval.

Strong Back Stout was awarded the Grand Gold Quality Award as it obtained an average points total between 90% and 100%.  “This is such a tremendous achievement for Strong Back,” added Sands, “to clean up in the medals like this – it feels like a Golden Girls victory!”

Sands exuberance was also shared by his Grand Bahama brewing team, namely; Brew master, Dieter Stich, Assistant Brew master, Lorenzo Johnson, Hazel Springer, the brewery’s Lab Manager and Donny Delahey the Brewery Manager.  “I built the brewery, gave them what they needed to make the beer but this team have really made it happen.  They are my Bahamian Golden Team,” said Sands.   “I know I say it a lot but it’s nice to be proven right. Bahamians are able to achieve and exceed international standards.”

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Brewery INFO:

Grand Bahama’s “Truly Bahamian” brewery opened in 2007 with the launch of its first beer SANDS.  The 20-acre brewery is located at the intersection of Queen’s Highway and Grand Bahama Way and is a 100% Bahamian owned business. The brewery also produces Triple B, a natural malt drink, sold via Asa H Pritchard Distributors, as well as STRONG BACK, SANDS LIGHT and HIGH ROCK. Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team currently employs just over 60 staff and expanded its operation into Nassau in 2008, opening a capital-based distribution centre at Kelly’s Liquor Store on Wulff Road. All Bahamian Brewery & Beverage products are also available at Bristol Wines & Spirits locations, Simms Brothers, Jimmy’s Liquor Store and truly Bahamian restaurants and bar locations. For more information please log on to www.bahamianbrewery.com

Freeport, Grand Bahama – Despite all the gloom and doom in Grand Bahama, the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company continues to thrive in the second city! In fact they are currently featured in Southern Boating’s May issue now on newsstands.

The internationally distributed magazine reaches more than 150,000 readers and has an annual subscription base of 47,000. According to the magazine’s website http://southernboating.com, the monthly magazine is “written for those who enjoy an active, family-oriented, boating lifestyle by an editorial team enjoying literally hundreds of years of personal, hands-on boating experience.”

Southern Boating is the largest boating magazine in the southeastern United States and has more than 38 years of history in the business. Most importantly for the brewery, the magazine caters to “a well-heeled boating audience equally dedicated to long-distance cruising, coastal boating, recreational fishing, and water sports.”

“These are the tourists we see three or four times a year in The Bahamas,” noted James “Jimmy” Sands, CEO of Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co. Ltd. “Whether they dock in Nassau, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma, etc … we want them to sip a Sands!” The well-known entrepreneur is the main focus of the four-page spread in the magazine’s May issue, which also highlights Bahamian cruising grounds, culture, events and cuisine.

“We chose Jimmy and his brewery because of our keen interest in Grand Bahama and because of his well known entrepreneurship for Bahamians,” said Marilyn Mower, Southern Boating’s Editor. “I think our readers would enjoy touring the brewery when they visit Grand Bahama, and let’s face it we like the beer too!” Mower is a keen boater herself and lives on a small motor yacht in Florida; she flew in to Grand Bahama to interview Sands at his multi-million dollar brewery.

“I found myself talking to a passionate brewer who is so very proud to be Bahamian,” she noted. “Jimmy and his team were so welcoming to me, I was able to see the entire brewing process and they made sure I sipped a Sands as well as the wonderful High Rock.”

‘Tapping an Idea’, the feature article on the brewery, recounts the history of Sands and his family’s history in the wine and spirits business and highlights his passion for brewing a truly Bahamian beer. “For four years I sat on the beach turning ideas over in my head, planning the details of how I would build a brewery when my non-compete clause expired” says Sands in the Southern Boating issue.

To read the entire article interested persons can click on to the Southern Boating website at http://southernboating.com and scroll down to featured articles. “We are very proud to be featured in Southern Boating” said Sands. “Its great to see all our hard work being appreciated by our neighbors, I’m an extremely proud Bahamian today!”

References: Marilyn Mower, “Tapping an Idea,” Southern Boating 01 May. 2010

Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company lives up to its commitment!

Freeport, Grand Bahama - At a press conference held at the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company in early December 2009, owner and CEO James “Jimmy” Sands publicly apologized to Bishop Cecil Kemp, who is the owner and builder of the Lighthouse in High Rock, Grand Bahama.  ”When I produced the High Rock (beer) it wasn’t in my wildest dreams that I would cause a ruckus in the community, and I regrettably see that I’ve caused a stir and I truly apologize to Mr. Kemp for putting the lighthouse on the label,” stated Sands to the media.

At the time the Brewery chose not to defend the lighthouse logo and instead change it, to avoid any problems in the community that they had chosen to work in.  “There are different elements in the community and we really do not wish to cause offense,” said Sands.

In keeping with their commitment the Brewery has now introduced a new label and package on its High Rock beer, and bottled the first batch of newly labeled beer this week.  The new packaged products will hit the market in April, once the existing stock is depleted. “High Rock has surpassed our expectations,” said Mr. Lynden Johnson, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company Sales and Marketing Manager.  “It has been received very positively by the Bahamian people who can’t seem to get enough!”

High Rock New Cases come off the line!

High Rock beer was launched as the company’s fourth beer product in November 2009.   The newest addition was touted as a higher end lager, delivering a crisp and refreshing taste with a bolder constitution.  “Lager beer is the most common beer made in the world.” said Johnson. “Using the method of slow acting yeast to ferment during storage gives High Rock its unique richer taste.”

The new High Rock label colours have remained the same but the lighthouse feature has now been replaced by a sea buoy, a mariner’s navigational beacon used by boaters, ships, etc.  In keeping with the nautical theme, Sands has managed to highlight his families’ love of the sea and their passion for island life.

Since opening in late 2007, the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage has had continued success with all its products: Sands, Sands Light, Strong Back and their malt-beverage, Triple B. “We finished bottling the newly labeled High Rock a few days ago,” said Johnson, “and we expect the old labels may become a bit of a collectors item for our loyal customers.”

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Brewery INFO:

Grand Bahama’s “Truly Bahamian” brewery opened in 2007 with the launch of its first beer SANDS.  The 20-acre brewery is located at the intersection of Queen’s Highway and Grand Bahama Way and is a 100% Bahamian owned business. The brewery also produces Triple B, a natural malt drink, sold via Asa H Pritchard Distributors, as well as STRONG BACK, SANDS LIGHT and HIGH ROCK. Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team currently employs just over 60 staff and expanded its operation into Nassau in 2008, opening a capital-based distribution centre at Kelly’s Liquor Store on Wulff Road. All Bahamian Brewery & Beverage products are also available at Bristol Wines & Spirits locations, Simms Brothers, Jimmy’s Liquor Store and truly Bahamian restaurants and bar locations.