Red Stripe Beer

Red Stripe Beer Photo

A type of Lager made in Jamaica. It is bottled in England by a company on behalf of Desnoes & Geddes in Jamaica.

Their meeting was simple enough. One morning, two youngsters came upon each other in the offices of West Indies Mineral and Table Water Company in Kingston, Jamaica. "My name is Thomas Hargreaves Geddes," said the newcomer. The other smiled. "Glad to make your acquaintance! I've been here a bit. I'm Eugene Desnoes."

And so, for the first time, Desnoes and Geddes shook hands. Neither of them could have imagined that this would mark the beginning of an extraordinary partnership. A partnership that has given the world Red Stripe Lager, The Great Jamaican Beer.

In 1927 Desnoes and Geddes announced the opening of the Surrey Brewery on Pechon Street in the heart of downtown Kingston. The first Red Stripe Beer-more like an ale, heavy and dark-was brewed a year later. The birth of Red Stripe would later be considered a milestone in Jamaican history. When the island gained independence from Britain in 1962, a columnist for The Daily Gleaner wrote "the real date of independence should have been 1928, when we established our self respect and self confidence through the production of a beer far beyond the capacity of mere Colonial dependants." The light, golden Red Stripe of today was first brewed in 1934, the creation of Paul Geddes (later Jamaica's first brewmaster) and Bill Martindale. The old Surrey Brewery on Pechon Street was phased out in 1958 when the ultra-modern plant at Hunt's Bay went into operation. This was the most modern brewery in the Caribbean.

Quality Brewing Process:

  • Red Stripe was first brewed in 1928. From the very beginning a superior approach to quality was adopted. Intent on producing a beer of international quality, the company's first Jamaican brew master, the Honorable Paul Geddes, traveled around the world to extract the very best from other brew masters and experts. Geddes, along with his colleague, Bill Martindale developed the winning formula for Red Stripe.
  • Back then, the beer was more like an ale, heavier and darker than its now famous successor. Over the years the formula was further perfected by successive Jamaican brew masters. Red Stripe is today brewed in Jamaica using state-of-the-art brewing and fermenting facilities undergoing rigorous world-class quality control processes.

Quality Ingredients

  • Red Stripe's superior taste is created with the finest quality Hops from the Yakima Valley in the USA, choice European Malt, water from the Liguanea alluvium aquifer, superbly brewed with care.
  • It's moderate in body, bitterness, hop aroma and flavour, has a low butterscotch flavour, full bodied and has a smooth post palate sensation.

Awards

  • Red Stripe is one of the most 'decorated' brands in the Diageo portfolio.
  • The beer has won numerous awards in many acclaimed brew tasting events, primarily at the annual Monde Selection.
  • Red Stripe won its 11th. Gold medal in 2003.
  • Only a handful of beers have received so many awards at this prestigious event.
  • In 1991 The beer was decorated with the "Grand Gold Medal" in Barcelona. That's after winning six consecutive gold medals between 1985 and 1990.

Quality Serve

  • The drinking sensation is best experienced at well cold temperatures of 4oC (39oF) and is popularly consumed straight from the bottle.

Shelf life and ABV

  • Red stripe has a 9-month shelf-life and contains 4.7% Alcohol By Volume (ABV).

BRAND CHRONOLOGY

  • 1918 Desnoes and Geddes was formed
  • 1928 Surrey Brewery was opened
  • 1928 Red Stripe beer was first brewed (then heavier and darker)
  • 1938 Red Stripe brew perfected to today's award winning lager
  • 1956 Hunt's Bay Brewery was built
  • 1962 Began exports to Grand Cayman and Eastern Caribbean
  • 1974 Began exports to the USA
  • 1975 Switched from Long Neck to Stubby Bottle
  • 1977 Charles Wells Brewery, UK, began production and distribution
  • 1981 Won 1st of eleven Gold Medals
  • 1991 Won Grand Gold Medal
  • 1993 Guinness PLC acquired majority shares in D&G
  • 1999 Brand livery refreshed
  • 2001 Changed Trading Name from D&G to Red Stripe
  • 2004 International Marketing Team created to drive global strategy
  • 2004 Launched in Australia
  • 2005 Re-launched in Switzerland and Sweden

    • Browse all 1 Red Stripe Beer Drink Recipes