By James Atkinson
Brewed in Queensland, the "world's first" Hard Iced Tea has locked in a national distribution deal with Australian Trade Partners.
Hard Iced Tea Brewing Company managing director Andy McCutcheon told TheShout the company is targeting both the on-and-off-premise markets for its products, which can be served in both bottled and draught format.
McCutcheon said a manufacturing process produces a refreshing taste experience that has similar characteristics to beer – but without the high levels of carbohydrates, sugar and gluten present in cereal grain-based drinks.
He said 'Hard Iced Tea', which is 4.2 per cent ABV, also retains the antioxidant qualities that tea is famous for, providing an alternative in the alcoholic beverages market that appeals to a much wider consumer audience, including the 75 per cent of women who are currently not beer drinkers.
McCutcheon said companies such as Coca-Cola Amatil and Woolworths Liquor Group have enquired about the product, which is also garnering interest amongst potential overseas licensees in Europe, North America and Asia.