With the Rugby World Cup kicking off this month in Japan, beers and spirits from North Wales are being shipped out to Asia for rugby fans to savour.

Welsh ales from Purple Moose Brewery and Welsh spirits from Aber Falls Whisky Distillery have been sent after successful Welsh Government trade development visits.

Following a recent trade visit Purple Moose Brewery was able to secure a substantial deal in Tokyo. They have recently exported nine pallets of their core range of ales which contains 10,560 bottles of beer that has gone to a distributor who supplies bars and restaurants across Japan and two of their own restaurants.

Lawrence Washington, who started his Purple Moose Brewery in Porthmadog in 2005 and since then has won numerous awards for his real ales, said,

“We have just shipped our first order to Tokyo that will ensure Welsh rugby fans will be able to enjoy a taste of home when they arrive in Japan this September. We have sent our core range of bottled beers, which include Snowdonia Ale, Madog’s Ale, Elderflower Ale, Glaslyn Ale and Dark Side of the Moose, plus our craft beers Antlered IPA and Mŵsh Lager.

“The Welsh Government trade visits have been invaluable in creating business opportunities in Asia and I would recommend anyone thinking about it to take advantage.”

Aber Falls Whisky Distillery, the first of its kind in North Wales for more than 100 years, is based in the village of Abergwyngregyn in North Wales. The distillery has sent over products from its internationally acclaimed range of gins and liqueurs, which are all produced using water from Rhaeadr Fawr, the famous Aber Falls waterfall, giving it one of the most authentic provenance stories in the country.

James Wright, Managing Director of Aber Falls, commented:

“The distillery has been operational for less than two years and already our gins and liqueurs have been named the ‘Best New British Product’ at the 2018 Great British Food Awards, so we know we’ve produced some great-tasting, quality liquids.

“The Aber Falls Small Batch Welsh Gin is one of our finest gins and leads with a floral aroma of lavender, complemented with present piney juniper and notes of peppery spice for a long-lasting sweet finish. Our range also includes our best-selling Rhubarb & Ginger Gin and Orange Marmalade Gin, supported by our delicious Violet, Salted Toffee and Dark Chocolate Liqueurs, which are perfect for cocktails.

“We are thrilled that Rugby fans from all over the world will have the chance to enjoy our products during the World Cup. With our Whisky due for launch in 2021, Japan will be a very important market for us so this is a great way to start immersing people in the Aber Falls story and excite them for future releases – the recent trade development visit with the Welsh Government has started some very positive discussions around Aber Falls’ presence in Japan.”

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, believes that it is vital for the food and drink industry to take advantage of such opportunities to continue to develop global markets,

“It is great to see Welsh food and drink playing a starring role at the Rugby World Cup in Japan this autumn. This is a prime example of how Welsh food and drink businesses can break into new markets by attending key global trade events.”