Hampshire's The Northbrook Arms in East Stratton, Winchester, has announced that Southampton-based HMS Spirits Company will become their official resident gin until at least January 2021.
The HMS Spirits range includes 3 premium gins including the Mary Rose, Elizabeth and Dreadnought.
The independent gin provider has continued to grow from strength to strength even through the difficult trading conditions of COVID-19. Passionate about gin and routed in a naval family background, founder and owner Ben Maguire has taken his start up distillery all around the world winning a number of awards over the last 12 months.
Adam Shanley, Director, Northbrook Arms, explained, “Anyone that has met Ben knows just how incredibly passionate he is about HMS Spirits, the quality of the product but also the way people connect with it and the industry needs that enthusiasm and drive now more than ever.
“We’re looking to create experiences at the pub and ensure we support local providers giving them a platform to engage, entice and entertain our customers”.
As well as a traditional supply agreement, both Shanley and McGuire have a number of micro-events planned to showcase the HMS brand onsite at the Northbrook Arms.
“Over the coming weeks Adam and the team will be announcing a number of events that will offer their customers a fantastic evening out whilst learning about our gin range and how to use it - it’s going to be great”! said Maguire.
Since reopening on 11 July following a refurbishment, the Northbrook Arms has not let the current COVID-19 situation hinder progress, maintaining a positive, proactive approach whilst complying with current restrictions.
In the last 3 months alone, a new outdoor canopy has been erected hosting a number of socially distanced stand-up comedy nights showcasing Paul McCaffrey, Sean Walsh, Lloyd Griffith and Sally-Anne Hayward to name just a few. The pub has also been awarded a new 5-star hygiene rating following a recent inspection from the health office.
In the last two months the Northbrook Arms has hosted two sell-out comedy evenings showcasing some of the UK’s hottest stand-up comedians including Sean Walsh and Winchester-based Paul McCaffrey.
Shanley went on to say, “Without a doubt it is a tough market at the moment with no real signs of certainty or security, having said that, we remain optimistic for the future and would like to thank all of our customers, visitors and nearby communities for their overwhelming support, without them we are nothing.'