Grand Bahama
Bahamian Brewery Launches Its Fourth Beer to the Grand Bahama Market
By Sarah Kirkby
Nov 19, 2009 - 11:03:30 AM

(left to right) Lorenzo Johnson. Assistant Brewmaster of Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co., Lynden Johnson, Sales and Marketing Manager of Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co. and owner, James 'Jimmy' Sands. (Keen i Media photo)

Freeport, Wednesday evening Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company launched its fourth beer, High Rock, a premium lager beer.   The newest addition to the Brewery’s line of successful beers is a higher end lager, delivering a crisp and refreshing taste with a bolder constitution.

“Lager beer is one of the most popular beers made in the world,“ said Lynden Johnson, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Sales and Marketing Manager. “High Rock will be our higher end lager using the method of longer maturation which gives HIGH ROCK a wholesome quality.  Allowing the slow acting yeast to ferment during storage gives it more body – much like a European beer.”

The name of the newest beer to join the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co. family, HIGH ROCK, was derived from the 2006 competition launched by brewery owner James “Jimmy” Sands.  This unique contest allowed all Grand Bahamians to submit their ideas for “Truly Bahamian” beer names – even before the brewery opened! 

Clearly enjoying the launch of another Bahamian Brewery beer are (left to right) Mr. Everette Sands, father of the brewery owner Jimmy Sands, Mr. Manny Mosko, Mr. Fred Smith and Sir Albert Miller. (Keen i Media photo)

The competition offered contestants a chance to win $3,000 for their ideas.  When the brewery opened “Sands” was the first name chosen and then “High Rock” the second name.  At the time two local ladies had submitted this name, Ethel Bethel and Garnell Frith, and thus won $1,500 each.

High Rock Premium Beer was named after the High Rock Township, a small and hospitable community in the eastern end of Grand Bahama.  “High Rock is a place where you can relax on a Sunday afternoon, while sipping on your favorite cocktail and enjoying the ocean breeze,” noted James “Jimmy” Sands, Bahamian Brewery Owner and President. “As you drive through the area, you are greeted by many locals and feel a sense of community, much like what we are trying to create at our brewery facilities and with our business practices.“

High Rock bellows “Truly Bahamian” from its smooth finish to its original bottle design.  The lighthouse on the label and bottle cap are reminiscent of an out island feel, and there is in fact a lighthouse in the High Rock community.  Its distinctive green bottle is not only a great “green” colour but is also a “green” environmental product as it is recyclable. 

Notably though, for fans waiting for the next great brew, High Rock’s taste is pure and aromatic.  The longer aging process gives it a slightly darker golden colour as well as a wholesome quality.  Brewed with no sugar, it delivers a pure taste with a smooth finish.

The boys go premium with High Rock. Clearly enjoying the brewery's newest beer, these local bar owners and friends enjoyed the thank-you party at the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co. (Keen i Media photo)

Sands noted “I am ecstatic to present yet another beer to The Bahamas. We have had great success with Sands, Sands Light, Strong Back and even our malt-beverage, Triple B.  I am confident that our premium lager will have a similar impact on the market.”

Since opening in late 2007, the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team has been steadily growing from 14 to now just over 60 employees.  Though all products are produced and bottled in Grand Bahama, the brewery has also expanded its operation into Nassau, opening a capital-based distribution centre at Kelly’s Liquor Store on Wulff Road in April of this year. This new distribution centre and the brewery in Grand Bahama are also the collection points for the brewery’s ongoing recycling of bottles programme.

“With the holiday season approaching, what better way to show our appreciation, to our many loyal distributors,” noted Johnson,” than by introducing the newest Truly Bahamian Premium Beer, High Rock, to them and saying thank you for their continued support of our brands.”       Johnson also released that High Rock  beer will be available for sale on Thursday, November 19^th at Jimmy’s Liquor Store, Bristol Wines and Spirits Freeport and at all Truly Bahamian Liquor stores and restaurants throughout Grand Bahama.

The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company has always held a special place for keeping it “Truly Bahamian” and is on a mission to make all of its products Bahamian sensations.  “We had great success with the Sands beer launch in late 2007” noted ‘Jimmy’ Sands, “and the local support here in Grand Bahama has been incredible.  I am hoping they will embrace High Rock the same way! So I will launch it here first and then in 2010 take it the rest of The Bahamas.”

These distinguished Grand Bahamians loved the new premium beer, HIGH ROCK, launched at the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company last night in Grand Bahama. According to the Brewmaster, High Rock’s taste is pure and aromatic and its longer maturation gives it a wholesome quality. Brewed with no sugar, it delivers a smooth finish. (Keen i Media photo)