Wetherspoons is scrapping Strongbow and John Smith’s in huge menu shake-up

11/29/2021

Wetherspoons is scrapping both John Smith's and Strongbow drinks from its pubs as part of a huge menu shake up.

The move comes after the company signed a new 20-year deal with Budweiser Brewing Group to become its largest supplier, according to The Mirror.

The agreement will see drinks including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Leffe Blonde and Bud Light – as well as Bathtub Gin, Bud Light Seltzer and Mike’s Hard Seltzer – added to the menu of 860 Wetherspoons pubs.

And draught ciders Strongbow and Strongbow Dark Fruits will be replaced by Stowford Press Apple and Stowford Press Mixed Berries, made by Westons Cider.

John Smith's bitter, meanwhile, is being replaced by Worthington's bitter, which is supplied by brewer Molson Coors.

The changes are coming into place on December 15 across all Spoons' pubs after a 41-year association with Heineken and other predecessors.

Wetherspoons says demand for Budweiser Brewing Group drinks has increased during the pandemic and its menu change will reflect this.

It change comes after a challenging 18 months for the hospitality industry, where pubs and restaurants were forced to shut for months at a time due to lockdown restrictions.

Wetherspoon had launched a "Save Pub Life" initiative during the height of the pandemic, encouraging communities to safeguard their local pubs with the campaign funnelling £1.5million.

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: “Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I will now become our biggest supplier, with new beers Budweiser, Corona and Leffe Blonde, in addition to their existing products, Stella Artois and Bud Light – as well as a range of bottled beers.

“We are also pleased to have agreed long-term supply deals with BrewDog, Westons Cider, Carlsberg and Molson Coors.

“Wetherspoon will continue to sell a wide range of traditional ales and craft beers from regional and micro brewers at competitive prices.”

Paula Lindenberg, president of Budweiser Brewing Group said: “We are so excited to strengthen our partnership with JD Wetherspoon.

“At Budweiser Brewing Group, we have the perfect recipe for success across Wetherspoon pubs – we have a strong, leading portfolio that caters to evolving consumer trends, especially as people opt for more premium options post-Covid.”

Wetherspoons also hit headlines recently for cracking down on beer garden sex acts.

A raunchy trio who were caught on CCTV engaging in steamy sex acts in a Wetherspoons pub.

This saw them barred for life after punters were left fuming.

Wetherspoons
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Alcohol

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