FoodNI member Longbridge Drinks has won business with one of the country’s biggest distributor of a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The business collaboration, described by Wayne Adair, founder of east Belfast- based Longbridge, as “an exciting breakthrough” for the small producer, has seen Tennent’s NI adding Belfast Ginger Ale to its extensive portfolio for local hospitality and retail clients.

Longbridge has also seen sales of its Belfast ginger ale in Britain spiral upwards following the beverage being featured on television by Andy Clarke, the popular food and drink writer and broadcaster, in a special on old ‘wartime drinks’.

“The tremendous coverage on television has increased awareness in Britain, a
market we are keen to grow sales in, of our ginger ale and has led to a significant
rise in our online orders. It came as a very pleasant surprise and one we really do
appreciate,” says Wayne.

Wayne continues: “We revived Belfast ginger ale almost a decade ago and it’s
proved an outstandingly successful mixer with whiskey, especially Irish whiskey, and
other spirits.

“The ale was invented in Belfast in the 1800s by a Canadian pharmacist named John
McLaughlin. He was in the city on summer work experience with Grattan & Co, one
of the largest producers of mineral waters for both home and international markets.
Belfast had a thriving industry producing premium minerals back then.

McLaughlin subsequently returned to his homeland to form ‘Canada Dry’, a ginger
ale which became the global market leader,” he adds.

Belfast companies, Wayne explains, “continued to develop and export ginger ale
particularly to the US during the 1920s, selling millions of gallons of the drink during
the controversial Prohibition of alcohol”.

“The end of the US constitutional ban on alcohol in 1933 saw a sharp decline in
sales for these companies, and most of them went out of business,” he says.
“Our Belfast Ginger Ale has been a tremendous success with smaller stores and at
markets such as St George’s in Belfast, where we’ve had a stall at weekends since
the redevelopment and reopening of the food and drink venue in May 1999. The
agreement with Tennent’s NI is another stage, albeit a hugely important one, in the
rejuvenation of Belfast Ginger Ale,” he adds.

The leading supplier of premium drinks in Northern Ireland, Tennent’s NI has a
comprehensive range of drinks for bars, hotels, restaurants and off-licences.
The line-up includes major brands such as Tennent’s, Magner’s Irish Cider,
Heverlee, Estrella, Corona, Budweiser, and Bud Light. A local beer producer,
Whitewater Brewery in Castlewellan, also features in the list.
The ginger ale is made from carbonated water, sugar, lime juice, extract of ginger,
natural ginger flavour, natural caramel, and ascorbic acid. It is ready to drink by itself
or as a mixer with a tipple of gin or whiskey. 
As well as Belfast Ginger Ale, Tennent’s is also embracing other Longbridge
premium mixers such as its unique Belfast Raspberry and Rose, described by
Wayne as a “liquid version of Turkish Delight”, and Belfast Tonic Water.
Raspberry and Rose is made in small batches from natural botanical flavours and
pure rose oil. It is the perfect balance of fruity and floral.
A superb match with gin or vodka, it also stands on its own as a delicious non-
alcoholic drink. Belfast Tonic Water was developed and launched in response to
customer requests for a premium local tonic to drink with gin, vodka or on its own. It
proved to be an outstanding success for the small company.
Longbridge Drinks was formed in 2017 by Wayne, an experienced producer of craft
minerals under the successful Papas Minerals brand. Belfast Ginger Ale, its first
product, was launched a year later.
Wayne brought his knowledge of and passion for historic minerals – under the Papas
brand – such as Original Ginger Wine, Dark Clove Cordial, Cloudy Lemonade, and
Traditional Elderflower to the development of Longbridge Drinks as a Papas
subsidiary.

Fascinated by the history of the city and the production of soft drinks in particular,
Wayne researched the development of Belfast Ginger Ale and decided to breathe
new life into the lost local beverage that disappeared around a century ago.
A further example of his love of local history, Wayne, who grew up in Bangor, took
the Longbridge identity from a huge bridge spanning the river Lagan from 1688 to

1841. Almost a mile in length, Long Bridge was once the longest on the British Isles.
      “The old Long Bridge was an awesome structure,” he continues. “It had 24 arches,
      was very narrow, and had no footways. Weakened by artillery fire, part of the bridge
      collapsed into the Lagan. That was in 1692,” he adds. It was eventually replaced by
      the Queen’s Bridge in January 1843, named in honour of Queen Victoria who
      opened it.

White’s Oats raise the Bar with new soft-baked Oaty snack

White’s new Oaty Bars are the latest product innovation from Co. Armagh based company, White’s Oats.
High in fibre with no additives, flavourings or preservatives, White’s Oaty Bars are made from just five, all-natural ingredients.
Available now in Tesco, Spar and Vivo stores across Northern Ireland and will be available in Bob & Berts coffee shops in early 2025.

Co. Armagh based White’s Oats, Ireland’s largest oat miller and cereal producer, is entering the ambient on the go snack category with a new soft-baked Oaty Bar made from its award-winning, high quality Irish oats.

The new product sees White’s first major launch into the healthy snacking category, catering for the evolving needs of its consumers. Offering a tasty and wholesome snack experience, the bar is ideal for consumers looking for an oats-on-the-go offering.

Speaking on the launch Danielle McBride, Marketing Manager, White’s Oats said:

“At White’s we are committed to providing high quality products that deliver on nutrition and taste and suit our customer’s busy lifestyles. Our new Oaty Bars are made using all-natural Irish butter and contain over 50% wholegrain oats, making it easier than ever to enjoy a great tasting, naturally energising snack that will leave that hungry feeling fading fast.

“Each bar has only five, all-natural ingredients, with no additives, flavourings or preservatives. It’s the perfect choice for those rushed mornings, as a mid-morning boost or an afternoon pick me up.” Danielle continued.

Available in a 45g Bar, containing 196 calories and over 3g of fibre and protein.

Sold in a single pack, White’s Oaty Bars are available now in Tesco, Spar and Vivo stores across Northern Ireland. They will be launching in Bob & Bert coffee shops early 2025.

The distillers of Shortcross Irish Whiskey and Gin are celebrating another award for
their Shortcross Distiller’s Duo Irish Whiskey as it strikes Gold at the Irish Whiskey
Awards. The Shortcross Distiller’s Duo is a blend of Single Malt and Single Pot Still
Irish Whiskey’s, both of which have been distilled at Rademon Estate Distillery, a
Food NI member, in Crossgar.
Co-Founder and Head Distiller David Boyd-Armstrong describes winning the award:
“To see our Shortcross Distiller’s Duo Irish Whiskey win Overall Winner in the
Blended Irish Whiskey (No Age Statement / Over €60) category is a fantastic
reflection of the quality of the whiskey that we distil here at Rademon Estate
Distillery. The quality and quantity of entries in this category means that the bar is
set very high and to be awarded Overall Winner is a very special moment for us.
“This is the second major award this year for the Shortcross Distiller’s Duo Irish
Whiskey after picking up a Gold Medal at this years Global Irish Whiskey Masters
hosted by The Spirits Business magazine.
Managing director Fiona Boyd-Armstrong adds: “Our Shortcross Irish Whiskey is
only ever distilled here at Rademon Estate Distillery, and to see own Irish Whiskey
win awards such is this is a fantastic success.”
Rademon also won a further Gold medal with its new Shortcross 5 year old Peated
Single Malt Irish Whiskey, which won Gold in the Peated Whiskey category at the
2024 year Irish Whiskey Awards.. Rademon is the first distillery in Northern Ireland
to produce peated Irish whiskey in over two generations.

Fiona adds: “Peated Irish Whiskey is at the core of what we do here at Rademon,
and to see this new expression win Gold with an Irish whiskey that has been distilled
by our own hands at the Irish Whiskey Awards is true testament to effort, skill and
patience of our team to craft this fabulous Irish Whiskey”.
Rademon closed out the awards by picking up a second Gold in the Peated Whiskey
category at the Irish Whiskey Awards with its Irish Whiskey Bonding Company –
Chancer Peated Blend.

Experienced chef Bob McDonald is aiming to breathe new life into a skill used in
households across Northern Ireland and worldwide before the advent of fridge
freezers.
Bob, a director of multi-award-winning Burren Balsamics in Richhill, Co Armagh, a
specialist in culinary vinegars, as well as chutneys, jams and relishes, is behind the
creation of new pickling kits in classic and spicy varieties.

“Our new food kits are perfect for home cooks who love experimenting in the kitchen,
explains Bob. “They are crafted with sustainable, local Irish ingredients. It’s foodie-
favourite gift for Christmas that will last well beyond the festive season,” adds Bob.
Multi-award-winning Burren Balsamics, a Food NI member, was founded by Susie
Hamilton Stubber, another chef with experience in top London restaurants, in 2014.
Bob joined later as product development director.

Each kit comes with novel recipes created by Bob, a respected Master Chef
participant with decades of experience within the UK restaurant industry, and is
packed with everything needed including jars, labels, pickling spices and the
innovation-led company’s acclaimed White Condiment.
The handy kits also include peppercorns, sea salt, mustard seeds and bay leaves.
They are vegan friendly and gluten free.
A global leader in vinegars and other innovative culinary products which enhance the
flavours of foods for chefs and home cooks, Burren created its UK Great Taste
winning White Condiment – ideal for salads – from Italian white grapes.
Dating back centuries to Asia and the Middle East, pickling, Bob continues, has long
been recognised as an effective technique for preserving or extending the shelf-life
of foods, especially vegetables, either by fermentation in brine or immersion in
vinegar. The pickling procedure typically affects the food’s texture and especially
flavour.
Burren Balsamics, one of Ireland’s most creative food producers, sells its main range
of vinegars to major retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Harrods and El Palacio de
Hierro in Mexico, as well as hundreds of delis here and in Britain.

Healthy living enthusiasts across the UK have chosen protein-rich overnight oats
from Armagh-based Linwoods Health Foods, a Food NI member, as the Best New
Product in a major public vote.
Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats, a plant-based blend of gluten-free oats, chia and
soy protein from Linwoods, was chosen for the platinum award for innovation in the
2025 Your Healthy Living magazine’s product awards by its readers.
Linwoods’ unique formula boasts fatigue-fighting magnesium, keeping consumers
energised and ready to conquer the day ahead.
The magazine, which circulates around UK health stores, said readers were asked to
vote for their favourite health products across 12 categories. “The response was
phenomenal – the votes poured in, and we were thrilled by the enthusiasm for
celebrating the very best in natural health.”
The award comes as family-owned Linwoods has become the leader in the UK and
Ireland of a comprehensive range of plant foods such as cold-milled linseed,
flaxseed sunflower, pumpkin, chia seeds, goji berries and hemp over five decades
The company, now under managing director Patrick Woods, is also celebrating two
major ‘wins’ with UK supermarkets Morrisons and Tesco for its overnight oats. It also
supplies leading health stores such as Holland and Barrett.
Exceptional customer demand for the unique overnight oats will see the healthy
products in 750 new stores.
Since the launch of oats last year, the range has contributed to a significant increase
in sales for Linwoods, resulting in 20 percent growth over the last 12 months and a
10 per cent increase in workers to over 90.
The overnights oats are also available in an extensive list of stores including Spar,
Supervalu, Centra, Mace and independent retailers across the island of Ireland and
Wholefoods, Farm Food and Booths in the UK.
Earlier this year, Linwoods started exporting to Spain with stockists CarreFour and
E.C.I, as well as Italy’s Esselunga and Coop Italia.
Patrick Woods says: “In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the demand
for plant-based, functional foods and time-saving options. We are so proud to have
created an innovative breakfast solution to address this need.”

Get into the festive spirit at Long Meadow Farm! 

Drive through the magical orchard, under the stars, to the enchanting Bramley Barn.  The elves will welcome you into Santa’s Grotto with a smile and festive cheer, whilst you sip on hot chocolate, a Christmas story you will hear!

Whilst Santa is checking his list twice, there will be lots of festive fun for the family to experience!

 Make some Reindeer food for Santa’s busy reindeers
 Design your own Christmas plate for when Santa visits on Christmas Eve
 Write your letter to Santa and post it in The Bramley Barn’s post box – ready to be delivered straight to the North Pole!
 Enjoy some hot chocolate or Long Meadow Spiced Apple Juice while listening to a Christmas story
 Have fun with arts & crafts

Last, but not least, sit and chat with Santa himself and receive a Christmas Book made by Santa’s Elves at the North Pole.

One of Santa’s favourite elves will be standing by to take some photos for you and your family so you can cherish this magical moment forever.

Book here: https://www.longmeadowcider.com/product/santa-bramley-barn/