The Sands Story
Bahamian Brewery Keeping It "Real" In Da Islands.
Before the doors of the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company even
opened, its owner James "Jimmy" Sands was making waves in his mom's
native home, Grand Bahama.Jimmy and his family have a long
heritage in the liquor and beverage business and in 2008 completed
their dream of owning and operating their own 100% Bahamian brewery.
It all started with a "Name those Beers" competition, which launched
on September 1st, 2006 – before the brewery was even built
— with a chance to win $3,000!
This competition gave local residents a chance to help find the name
for the Brewery's first brew. Each entry had two chances,
which means Jimmy had 3,798 names to choose from when he closed the
competition.
SANDS, was the first name chosen and the eleven winners were due to
spilt the $3,000 prize. But Jimmy stepped in and gave each
winner $500 each! The second name picked was, HIGH ROCK, taken from
a local area in the east of Grand Bahama. The two lucky ladies who
entered this name evenly split their $3,000.
During this time Jimmy was busy building his dream brewery. He
and his investors had recruited the largest German brewing company,
BREWTECH, whose success in setting up local brewery's around the
Caribbean and South America had made them a perfect fit for Grand Bahama's only brewery. Under their direction Jimmy hired an
ALL BAHAMIAN crew from architect to paver. Just the way Jimmy likes
it.
In late 2007 the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company was
officially opened by the Right Honorable Prime Minster of The
Bahamas, Hubert Alexander Ingraham and the Sands family. Back in the
liquor business again, Jimmy set out to launch his Bahamian
sensation!
SANDS beer launched on December 15th, 2007, and was brewed to quench
the Bahamian thirst, creating a specific definitive flair that was
missing in the beer market. The combined knowledge of both the
German brewing experts, local Bahamian Brewery team and owners has
helped this newly launched beer become the hit of the islands.
Sands was due to be distributed in Grand Bahama only, but by early
January 2008 - it was a national brand!
Adding to their inventory in late 2008, the Bahamian Brewery team
created a truly Bahamian stout. STRONG BACK was a hit with its
target beer connoisseur - who loves the dark flavor with the
strongest or stoutest taste. As Jimmy says, "it keeps you going all
night!"
This summer — the Bahamian Brewery
launched, and is now distributing, its third brew
— SANDS LIGHT — a light taste on
a great product. The newest truly Bahamian beer has just hit the
beer market and is already getting rave reviews for staying true to
its original taste while keeping the calories light.
What's next for this budding brewer in Grand Bahama? That's for
Jimmy to know and for us to figure out. One thing is for sure,
he has stuck to his game plan — truly
Bahamian — in all he does and as he
likes to tell his partners "What's made here, stays here!"
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