Lisburn’s Suki Tea Makers, Northern Ireland’s multi-award winning producer of
premium loose-leaf teas and a variety of infusions, has achieved a major business
award for its longstanding focus on environmental sustainability.
The locally-owned company, a FoodNI member, has been certified as a B
Corporation business which means it meets high global standards of social and
environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Other FoodNI
members of achieve B Corp certification are Boatyard Distillery in Enniskillen and
Dei Lites in Warrenpoint.
The internationally respected accreditation comes from the B Labs operation, a non-
profit organisation founded in 2006 in Pennsylvania in the US to promote
sustainability worldwide and to create value for society. It is now a coveted
accreditation by companies to grow awareness worldwide among clients and
customers.
The B in B Corp stands for “Benefit for All’ in that all certified businesses endeavour
to benefit all stakeholders. Businesses that become B Corps have seen great
results: committed and motivated employees, increased customer loyalty, higher
levels of innovation, and market leadership.
Recent research shows that companies with B Corps out-perform their UK peers
across several business metrics. Compared to data from surveys of UK SMEs, it was
found that B Corp small and medium sized enterprises have, on average:
 Faster growth in turnover and employee headcount and higher expectations
about future growth
 Greater levels of employee retention, engagement and diversity 
 More robust governance processes 
 Greater focus on civic and community engagement 
 Higher levels of innovation 
 The same likelihood of success at securing external finance
There are now over 1,000 B Corp companies in the United Kingdom and over 60,000
worldwide. Suki is now among a very small but growing B Corp network in Northern
Ireland that also includes smaller and artisan enterprises such as Boatyard Distillery
in Enniskillen.
“We’re thrilled to announce that Suki Tea is now a Certified B
Corporation enterprise,” says Oscar Woolley, who founded the hugely successful
smaller beverage business with Anne Irwin in 2005. “This milestone reflects our
commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and fairtrade,” adds Oscar.

“When customers choose our award-winning blends, they are supporting tea-
growing communities and helping us build a fairer, more sustainable world. This is
just the beginning! We’re excited to collaborate with other B Corps and B LabsUK to
drive innovation and use business as a force for good.”
Suki Tea Makers, which celebrates its 20 th birthday later this year, has invested
extensively in best environmental practice, leading the way, for example, in
sustainable packaging, including the removal of plastics, over the past decade and
more.
Suki has also won a string of UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann awards for
quality products with outstanding taste. It has grown from an initial artisan tea stall at
St George’s Market in Belfast to be a leading loose leaf tea brand supplying
thousands of hotels, cafes and delis across the UK, Ireland and further afield.

The small company, among the most successful and respected globally focused
enterprises here, now operates from a leading-edge 9000, sq ft factory in Lisburn
that is 100 percent powered by solar and renewable energy. It was previously based
in three small units in a business centre in west Belfast.
Investing in and switching to a purpose-built factory outside LIsburn has allowed the
entrepreneurial business to make its production processes and logistics more
efficient, expand its product offering and create new jobs.
The unique ‘Tea Factory’ enabled the company to immediately double its
manufacturing and warehousing capacity, bolstering distribution and allowing for
continued growth and expansion into 30 global markets.
The new factory, according to Oscar, “provides the perfect creative space for
innovation in blending and recipe creation, and a dedicated tea-rista training room for
all customers”.
“The new factory is also assisting us in achieving our goals for net zero carbon,
leading the way for a cleaner future for our business,” he continues. “In line with our
mission to be an ethical and sustainable organisation, the new factory has allowed
us to reduce our Scope 2 emissions from electricity, for instance, down to zero,
superseding our environmental target to reduce the business’ emissions by 50
percent by 2030.”
The new facility, which was built in collaboration with a team of sustainability and
heating experts, is powered by renewable energy sources including a 10kW Solar
PV system. LED sensor lighting and PIR controls have installed throughout, along
with large windows for maximised used of daylight and recycling of key waste
streams.
A long-term supporter of Fairtrade and a committed Real Living Wage Employer, it is
important to Suki that it continues to operate as a business in as ethical and
sustainable a way as possible.

Craft beer lovers in New York, Boston and Philadelphia will soon be able to enjoy
award-winning brews from McCrackens Brewery and Distillery in Portadown, Co
Armagh. The company is a FoodNI member.
The enterprise, owned and run by Ryan McCracken, has signed a deal with a
leading US importer for some of its most successful brews for sale there.
Commenting on the latest market breakthrough, Ryan, the master brewer, who
initially began brewing beer at home as a hobby, says: “This landmark expansion
reflects years of growth for the brewery and is a significant step forward in our
mission to bring premium Irish craft beer and spirits from our handcrafted portfolio to
international markets.
“We’ve spent over a year working to finalise this partnership with the importer, a
respected specialist in shipping premium Irish products to the States now branching
out into the alcohol market.
“As a result, McCrackens will be among the first brands to spearhead this new
venture, showcasing the best of Northern Ireland’s brewing and distilling heritage to
the huge American marketplace.
“It represents a monumental achievement for our small business. Customers have
frequently asked when they’ll be able to find our products across the Atlantic, and
now we can finally say it’s happening,” adds Ryan.
The brewery’s beers and stout are already widely available across Northern Ireland,
from local outlets to selected Tesco NI stores, where the core range of IPA, Premium
Pilsner, and Black Irish Stout has become a staple for craft beer enthusiasts.
Customers further afield can also find the company’s brews products on Amazon
Prime.
The move into the US market will introduce McCrackens to a new audience of beer
lovers eager to explore authentic Irish craft brews. Initial distribution will focus on
New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, three cities with strong ties to Irish culture.
Plans are in place to expand to additional states as soon as practicable, reflecting
the brand’s ambition to establish a lasting presence across the Atlantic.
“This is more than a business expansion,” Ryan continued. “It’s about sharing a
piece of Northern Ireland with the world. Through our beers and spirits, we’re telling
the story of our rich and colourful heritage, our craftsmanship, the locally sourced
ingredients and the passion that goes into every bottle that we produce.”

Founded by Ryan in September 2018, the brewery draws inspiration from Ireland’s
rich history and storytelling tradition. Flagship products include an India Pale Ale
(IPA), Premium Pilsner, and Black Irish Stout, all of which have gained a loyal
following. Major industry awards have been gained for exceptional quality and
distinctive flavours.
Ryan has invested heavily in the plant in terms of new equipment for brewing,
distilling and on marketing the extensive range of handcrafted brews and the new
premium gin.
The brewery’s labels, according to Ryan, tell a story of Irish heritage, with the
McCrackens IPA label paying homage to Dunluce Castle on the rugged Co Antrim
coast.
“Each brew combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques, reflecting
a deep commitment to excellence in products and all aspects of the business.”.
In 2024, the addition of a distillery also marked an exciting new chapter for the
entrepreneurial business in the shape of a distilling operation. McCrackens has
already released a Premium Irish gin made from the beer they produce and is
developing a range of premium spirits to complement its offerings, cementing its
reputation as a leader in Northern Ireland’s craft beverage industry. The new gin,
features locally harvested botanicals and continues the established McCracken
corporate identity.
“We’ve been expanding steadily over the years, and the launch of our distillery
allows us to bring a wider variety of premium products to customers. This is a natural
evolution for us, combining our brewing expertise with a passion for distilling,” he
explains.
Research suggests that the US craft beer market is currently worth around £20
billion, and consumers are switching from spirits and wine to beer as they curb their
spending in the face of price rises and inflationary pressures on domestic budgets.
Ryan, originally an IT manager, set up the brewery on the back of the outstanding
popularity of his home brews with family and friends. Wife Nicola had given him a
home brew kit as a Christmas present. The gift started Ryan, who had been
interested in craft beers for some time, on the journey into commercial brewing of a
range of ales and beers.
“I enjoyed beer and caught the home brewing bug,” he remembers. “I kept adding
equipment and experimenting with different beers which family and friends enjoyed.
In September 2018, I then launched the McCracken brand and began marketing my
brews in Portadown, then in other parts of Northern Ireland and Great Britain. I
expanded thee brewery and then moved into distilling a premium gin. I have plans to
develop more beers and spirits in the future. It’s been an exciting journey that still
has further to go,” adds Ryan.

The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) for Northern Ireland has kicked off the new year with the relaunch of its ‘Good Honest Food’ campaign which aims to educate consumers on the benefits of choosing Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured (NIFQA) beef and lamb.

Styled as a travelogue, the campaign which airs on 6 January sees local chef, James Devine journey across Northern Ireland meeting industry experts to uncover the truth about the health, environmental and versatility credentials of NIFQA beef and lamb.

The multi-platform campaign aims to help answer consumers questions about beef and lamb production, health and nutrition, as well as providing mouthwatering recipe ideas to give consumers the inspiration they need to establish beef and lamb as a key element of a balanced diet.

Speaking about the launch, Head of Marketing and Communications at LMC Lauren Patterson said: “Our independent tracking research from last year confirmed that consumers who had seen the campaign were significantly more likely to purchase NIFQA beef and lamb and we are hoping to build on this success over the next 12 weeks.

“The campaign is founded on four key messages: health and nutrition, care for the environment, responsible farming and creating great dishes using a variety of beef and lamb cuts. Lamb and beef, which are excellent sources of natural protein, vitamins and minerals, are essential components of a healthy, balanced diet for many consumers and this campaign aims to showcase their versatility, quality and accessibility as red meat options.”

“We are inviting the public to follow James’ journey as he highlights how our locally produced beef and lamb are farmed sustainably and why the NIFQA logo guarantees world-class levels of responsible farming. What’s more, he’ll share some seriously easy and tasty recipes and top tips too.”

The 12-week campaign will run across TV, radio, outdoor and digital platforms until the end of March 2025. For more information about LMC’s Good Honest Food campaign, visit Love NI Beef | Beef and Lamb Northern Ireland

Portrush-based Irish Black Butter, the producer of a unique sweet/savoury
sauce, has been named Best Artisan Food Production business in Northern
Ireland in an influential global awards for food and drink. The company is a
FoodNI member.
The artisan company, launched by Co Antrim businessman Alastair Bell in 2017
to produce ‘a new taste for Ireland’, gained the important recognition in the
Food and Drink Awards 2024 organised by international lifestyle magazine
LUXlife.
Alastair, commenting on the latest major award for his non-dairy spread that’s
made with Armagh Bramley apples and spices, says: “I am thrilled to have
gained this endorsement of the innovation and quality of my Irish Black Butter
from such an influential publication that circulates worldwide. The award will
help as I continue to promote the product internationally and boost sales ahead
of 2025.
“The awards are designed to showcase a diverse range of companies which
each deliver something different to their customers and clients,” adds Alastair.
Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll adds: “Recognising greatness across the
food and drink industry has been a tremendous journey, especially as we’ve
seen such dedication, commitment, and innovation across a range of
businesses and individuals. With their devotion to their customers, guests, and
consumers, our winners are set for an exciting new year.”
There were awards too for The Bakery Ballycastle at the Best Traditional
Bakery and for Taste of Enniskillen for its Gourmet Food Trail.
LUXlife is a premium lifestyle publication which was founded in 2015 by the
publishing company AI Global Media Ltd. Shared with a global audience,
LUXlife focuses on a range of topics within the luxury lifestyle industry, featuring
articles on, fashion, beauty, fine dining, travel, luxury real estate and much
more.
In addition to providing readers with regular news and updates on all elements
of luxury lifestyle, it also provides luxury firms with the perfect media platform to
showcase their business to our readership comprised of high net worth
individuals. The awards are now in their eighth year.

Boatyard’s Double Gin from Fermanagh, a FoodNI member, has been named the
number 2 trending gin brand in the world while Boatyard’s vodka has emerged as a
newcomer on the bestselling vodka brands list for 2025.
The Brands Report from Drinks International trending list celebrates brands that are
not necessarily doing huge volumes (just yet) but are brands that customers are
increasingly requesting all over the world, because of word of mouth or a bartender’s
top recommendation. Often the brands that feature highly on the trending list this
year will move onto the bestselling list the following year, as curiosity and excitement
transition to weight of sales. 
 
For 2025 gin is still very much in when it comes to its popularity in bars across the
world. The Drinks International Brands Report found the spirit the most popular for
the ninth consecutive year, primarily driven by the G&T serve while the Dry Martini
continues its renaissance. 
 
Declan McGurk, commercial director at The Boatyard Distillery, said: “it’s thrilling to
me and the team that Boatyard’s Double Gin, born and made in Fermanagh, is being
chosen by bar professionals internationally as the number 2 trending gin in the world.
“The senior management team at Boatyard have all worked behind some incredible,
award-winning bars and we have always believed that a premium spirit needs to
have approval from the bartending community – they need to feel confident
recommending it to their customers, using it in cocktails and know their drinks
offering is bolstered by simply having it behind the bar. To gain this seal of approval
on a global scale is a wonderful way to start the year.”
 
The Drinks International Brands Report surveys 100 top-level bars across 33
countries (from Europe, Asia and Mexico to Canada, the USA, Africa, Australia, and
the Middle East) who have featured in recent editions of The World’s 50 Best Bars
and Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards, plus regional and national awards such
as the Class Bar awards. 
 
The report is now in its 16 th  year and is the most anticipated piece of research of the
year by Drinks International. Each year, as well as adapting the geographical spread
of those bars surveyed, Drinks International ensures a percentile of the participants
is rotated to ensure they obtain as fair and accurate a portrait of the global bar scene
as possible, and the brands it’s selling.