Uncle Billy's Brewery Debuts Canned Craft Cocktails

Uncle Billy's Brewery and Smokehouse in Austin, Texas has announced the release of new sparkling craft cocktails in cans.

These three new releases will be added to Uncle Billy's recently unveiled Uncle Billy's Spirits line, and mark the first time that Uncle Billy's has recently spirits in cans. 

The new releases are as follows:

• Leslie’s Cucumber Sipper: inspired by Austin’s most famous cross dresser, this isvodka-infused with fresh cucumbers and bubbled up with tonic water.
• Lady Bird Lemonade: a highly refreshing drink made with vodka blended with scratch-made lemonade and lavender water.
• Vimosa Uncle Billy’s take on a mimosa made with vodka blended with pineapple juice, orange juice and coconut syrup. 

The full release from Uncle Billy's is below.

AUSTIN, Texas – Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse, is introducing a line of sparkling craft cocktails in cans just in time for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Uncle Billy’s, a destination for award-winning craft beers and slow-smoked Texas barbecue on Barton Springs Road, expanded its operations to Austin’s be first “Brewstillery” earlier this year with the introduction of Uncle Billy’s Spirits. The brand’s initial canned cocktails release features the three vodka-based beverages made with Uncle Billy’s Spirits.

“When we introduced our new Uncle Billy’s Spirits, we also created 12 craft cocktails served on tap,” says Bob Leggett, managing partner of Uncle Billy’s. “The kegged craft cocktails that we make with fresh house-made ingredients proved to be extremely popular in our taproom. We realized that the consistently delicious fresh flavors we create with infused spirits, fresh juices and our own simple syrups will make equally great tasting cocktails in cans. Now, people can enjoy these fantastic beverages to go.”   

Cocktails in a can are extremely popular. Market research firm, Mintel predicted a 9 percent increase in canned cocktail sales by volume over a five-year period beginning in 2016. Canned cocktails are incredibly convenient, making it possible to take the party to parks, pools, beaches, and backyard barbeques without worrying about broken glass. Uncle Billy’s mixes its canned craft cocktails with high-quality, fresh ingredients in small batches so the cocktails are ready to go without a trip to the farmer's market. 

At the helm of the creation of these new products is distilling expert, Mark Shilling, who previously launched Uncle Billy’s line of spirits. He oversees the spirits quality assurance, blending and packaging of the cocktails. Leading the craft cocktail program is Josh Mabrey, Uncle Billy’s beverage manager and in-house mixologist. Mabrey creates batches of complex craft cocktails that can be served quickly with great consistency on tap at Uncle Billy’s and reformulated his recipes for packaging in cans. He chose the three bestselling cocktails for the initial launch of sparkling craft cocktails in cans.

The first three Uncle Billy’s sparkling craft cocktails in cans are made with Uncle Billy’s Barton Springs Vodka. The locally-sourced vodka is made from 100 percent corn, then carbon-filtered and artfully finished on site at Uncle Billy’s with pure water from the Edwards Aquifer. The new products include: 

• Leslie’s Cucumber Sipper: inspired by Austin’s most famous cross dresser, this isvodka-infused with fresh cucumbers and bubbled up with tonic water.
• Lady Bird Lemonade: a highly refreshing drink made with vodka blended with scratch-made lemonade and lavender water.
• Vimosa Uncle Billy’s take on a mimosa made with vodka blended with pineapple juice, orange juice and coconut syrup. 

“Unlike wine and malt liquor-based ready to drink cocktails that you’ll find convenience stores, our craft cocktails are made with actual vodka and fresh, premium ingredients,” says beverage manager Josh Mabrey. “Our cocktails are geared for more discerning drinkers who want quality beverages that taste great, rather than artificially flavored drinks. It’s like a party in your pocket, ready to go when you are. We’ll have them for sale to go right down the street from the Austin City Limits Music Festival. We do the mixin’. You do the sippin’.”  

Initially, Uncle Billy’s canned craft cocktails will only be available for sale at the taproom on Barton Springs Road. The products will soon be distributed throughout central Texas. In addition, Uncle Billy’s is packaging its craft cocktails in 1.75-liter bottles for use by bartenders to serve cocktails on tap at local Austin restaurants and bars.

About Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse:

Founded in 2006, Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse is located in the heart of Austin’s funkiest restaurant row on Barton Springs Road and is inspired by William “Uncle Billy” Barton, whose 1830’s tract included the renowned springs. Uncle Billy’s offers the perfect combination of award-winning, craft beers, distilled spirits, hand-crafted cocktails, and delicious, slow-smoked Texas barbeque. Learn more at: http://www.unclebillys.com/ and connect with Uncle Billy’s Brewery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.