NB launches into “Ready-To-Drink” market with “ACE- Passion Apple Spark

Nigerian Breweries (NB) has unveiled its first-ever “Ready-To-Drink” product called “ACE- Passion Apple Spark” with which it hopes to quickly capture this segment of the market.

ACE is the first-ever sparkling alcoholic drink from Nigerian Breweries and Passion Apple Spark, the first of the ACE series.

At the trade launch in Abuja, marketing director, NB, Walter Drenth called ACE ‘’Passion Apple Spark’’ a ‘game changer,’ which does not only have a brand name, but also has a theme – ace passion.

The drink, which is the latest addition to the NB’s portfolio, is brewed with natural fruit flavours sparkling apple taste, 5.5 percent alcohol, comes in a unique 33cl bottle and sleek can with metallised labels.

Drenth said the new product was borne out of innovation, and particularly in response to the customers’ and consumers’ demand over the years.

The drink comes in a recommended retail price of N150 per bottle, which most of the consumers who attended the launch described as competitive.

“The liquid is natural apple flavour, very unique, the liquid is on point, sparkling apple taste, 5.5 percent alcohol.

“But most of all, it is from Nigerian breweries.

“We only bring products in the market which we believe in in terms of the high quality we can deliver and we think it is about time we enter this category and to bring something new that people do not know yet,” Drenth told BusinessDay as he described the uniqueness of the drink at the trade launch.

Drenth said, “ACE Passion Apple Spark being a cool innovation from Nigerian breweries will certainly be very exciting for “young consumers who like to enjoy good life with friends and family, especially this Christmas.”

ACE ‘’Passion Apple Spark’’ is already available at select outlets across the country since its weekend launch.

At the launch, Nnamdi Chu. Iyiegbu, managing director of an Abuja popular pub – Cubana, described the drink as  a very fantastic move.

“It is wonderful. I like the shape and size and the taste is really wonderful,” he said.

On how profitable the product would be to his business, he stated, “the price is very competitive, the distribution price is N120, while the recommended retail price in N150.

“I am confident that it will penetrate the market very quickly,” he equally told BusinessDay.

Onyinye Nwachukwu