On Friday 1st April, the St. Vincent Brewery launched its newest product (brand) – Smallie- at an activity held at the container port adjacent the Geest shed on Bay Street.
Smallie – a beer – sits alongside a number of product lines manufactured/bottled by the Brewery, a manufacturing entity which has been in existence since 1985. It joins, for example, the Brewery’s signature Hairoun Beer and the world-renowned Guinness Stout, which it bottles under special licence.
Commercial Manager at the Brewery, Lamont Medica, gave some insight on the new product. “As a company, we believe in diversification of our portfolio to meet the ever changing and expanding needs of our consumers, and it is a great moment for us to present our first local innovation in over 10 years,” he expressed.
Citing Smallie as the next step in the evolution of the company’s product portfolio, he added, “Generation Z and millennials especially are all about what’s next. They love variety. We wanted to offer a new product with a lighter profile at a more economical size.”
Medica said that the name Smallie is one that is Vincentian, fun, unique and open to the customers’ interpretation. It comes in a 250ml bottle as opposed to the 280ml Hairoun size, and at a lower price.
Brewed, crafted and mastered by local brewers to reflect playfulness and refreshingly light moments, it boasts a perfect blend: “lighter; the liquid has a premium feel with sweet undertones, a unique sweet distinct after-taste that persons would enjoy no matter where you’re from; overall, an easier beer to drink,” according to the Commercial Manager.
Smallie, according to the Brewery, was crafted as a result of feedback from consumers as to what they wanted to have on the market… something they could have fun with.
Patrons at the launch activity took the opportunity to give their opinion about what they were experiencing.
“My first take on this Smallie is that it is a very nice initiative. I like the smaller size of the less cumbersome bottle and will choose this over Hairoun because it’s more comfortable in your hand. The taste is so smooth and I think it has less alcohol value on it as well. I will still drink Hairoun but this one is easier to go down. All in all, I’ll give it a positive rating.” The sentiments of an under-thirty male.
A very enthusiastic young lady proffered, “I would say that Smallie is way better than the Hairoun because Hairoun is very heavy and now drinking the Smallie, it is smooth. I will recommend it to anybody because it is definitely the best. I believe if I had asked for a beer, this would be it. The size is not bad either, it’s easier to walk with.”
A gentleman around seventy years old, with a Smallie in his hand, opined: “I think it’s the ideal Vincy ladies’ beer. Men are drinking it as well and very importantly; I think people want to support local. If you’re a Vincy to the bone, then you hold your own. The Smallie I think will go a long way; it’s the ideal alternative. I have to congratulate the Brewery. They have done their homework and I am proud!”
By now, retailers across St. Vincent and the Grenadines should have their stocks of Smallie intact in anticipation of eager customers
