Jersey tastes local brew as our favourite pint is saved

GUERNSEY exported its first batch of Breda lager to Jersey yesterday.

Randall's managing director Ian Rogers was in that island on Tuesday putting the finishing touches to the deal.

It means that Jersey's supply of the drink will no longer have to be shipped in from Rotterdam, but will come from Guernsey instead.

Securing the Jersey contract ensures that island's pubs will still be able to serve the top-selling brand.

It is also the first step to possibly exporting the Guernsey-brewed lager to the UK and further afield.

'We have sent some beer to Jersey today,' said Mr Rogers yesterday. 'We have finished the negotiations and it means that their pubs will be selling beer brewed here in Guernsey.'

Roughly 200 kegs of Breda a week are sold in Jersey at the moment, in addition to the 400 kegs for Guernsey.

However, it did emerge yesterday that although Randall's has sealed a licensing deal with United Dutch Breweries and Inbev to brew the 5% alcohol lager, an agreement was also included that would see the canned variety still come in from Belgium, as the local enterprise lacked the necessary manufacturing facilities.

'The cans will remain as they always have done and come from Belgium,' said Mr Rogers, who also ruled out a reduction in the price of a Breda pint, despite it being brewed on-island.

'There are no other savings to be had.'