Leading Cornish brewers St Austell and Sharp?s are extending their reach in the off-trade beyond the south-west of England as well as filling in listing gaps in the region for their bottled beer ranges.

Flagship Tribute ale

St Austell Brewery now has its flagship Tribute ale stocked nationally by Asda and Londis, which takes the brewer?s full range of bottled ales including the recently launched Proper Job, a 5.5% alcohol-by-volume bottle conditioned beer.

?There are some serious gaps in the south-west and we are working with major retailers and independents, such as Londis and Spar,? said St Austell Brewery take-home manager Mark Payne. The St Austell brews are now stocked regionally by Sainsbury?s, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose and Tesco.

Payne said the brewer was looking to widen its distribution in the south-west and beyond as it was investing in a bottling line at the brewery, due to come on-stream next year.

Sharp?s clinched a promotional spot nationally with Morrisons in August for its leading Doom Bar bottled ale brand. The brand is available regionally with Morrisons and the brewery, based at Rock, near Padstow, hopes the promotion will lead to a national listing.

The brewery?s three main bottled ales, Doom Bar, Eden Pure Ale and Atlantic IPA, are now sold in selected Majestic Wine Warehouses in the London area, while the Co-op is about to take on all three brews in the south-west. All three beers are now available in a presentation pack for the off-trade.