Walled City Brewery collaboration leads to launch of 'Lapland Beer'

by Gráinne Connolly

Back in March 2017, Derry City and Strabane District Council hosted a 'NICHE' summit in March 2017. 

This was attended by delegates from seven European regions involved in the INTERREG project which aims to develop international best practice in food innovation. 

Since then, there has been 'staff exchange trips' throughout the partner regions to help food and drink producers build innovative 'food value' chains. 

Following on from a successful visit to Finland, the Walled City Brewery became involved in a collaboration with Lapland's Tornion Panimo Brewery and have produced two beers. 

Walled City Brewmaster James Huey has been talking to Q Radio about the exciting venture: 

"Following on from our successful visit to Finland on the back of the DCSDC supported NICHE project, our Executive Chef Jill McKillip made contact with a brewery from Lapland called Tonrion Panimo. 

"Tornion Panimo are a large craft brewery in Northern Finland with a history spanning over 140 years, and are now launching a 'Brewmasters Legends' range of family beers."

This range involves brewing beers with 'brewmasters' from different countries and backgrounds. 

Mr Huey went on to explain how they brewed native beers through the collaboration to be launched in both Finland and Derry-Londonderry; 

""This is about brewing beer styles native to the brewmaster's country, so together we will be brewing an 'Irish Red Ale', which will be launched in Finland. 

"We are also pushing our collaboration further by planning to brew a 'Lapland Beer' to be launched in Derry in the run up to Christmas."

The joint collaboration between the Walled City Brewery and Tornion Panimo has been welcomed by the Acting Tourism Manager with DCSDC, Jennifer O'Donnell. 

She says "I am delighted that the Walled City Brewery and Tonrion Panimo have developed such a strong, collaborative working relationship. 

"This is a great example of how the NICHE project can help businesses increase their capability and capacity for innovation, thus ensuring sustainability and growth. 

"We have seen food provenance and production really come to the fore in recent years. 

"The NICHE project really helps us to learn from other regions in Europe facing similar changes and opportunities within the food and drinks sector.

“Strong collaborative working relationships such as this one established between the Walled City Brewery and Tornion Panim, provides us with a great opportunity to build upon international best practice and reinforce our position as a real foodie hub.”