COULD this new brew become Scotland’s other “other national drink”? A former footballer hopes so.
Chris Ewing had hoped to become the toast of Scottish football before being freed as a young player by Motherwell.
He went on to coach at Paris St Germain before relocating to Scotland again after almost a decade in the French capital.
But his days there left him with a taste for that country’s regional soft drinks.
Now the Glasgow man has teamed up with friend Niall Holmes to launch Alba Cola, the first fizz from their Caledonian Cola Company.
READ MORE: New ‘Crimbo’ flavour Irn-Bru launches in Glasgow
The fledgeling firm aims to eat into the market share of established brands.
And while Irn Bru is often referred to as Scotland’s “other national drink”, Ewing and Holmes are spearheading a St Andrews Day marketing drive that they hope will make consumers switch to their heather-infused alternative.
The launch comes as the craft soda market gains favour with UK consumers, with “grown-up” non-alcoholic gingers and low-sugar versions of traditional favourites hitting supermarket shelves to meet demand.
Ewing said: “People in France would frequently ask for a cola made from their region over the big brands and I knew there would be a market for the same kind of thing from Scotland with its own wonderful food and drink and culture.
READ MORE: 'New' old-formula 1901 Irn-Bru to be released in December
“Consumers are drinking less alcohol and looking for new premium soft drinks or mixer experiences. Niall and I got together to develop the brand further and the result is Alba Cola which in our opinion has to be the best looking and tasting cola around.”
Bearing a unicorn logo, the drink is “made with Scottish water and heather extract”.
Holmes said: “We are very excited to introduce Alba Cola to the thriving food and drink industry here in Scotland. The reception we are getting when people see and taste it is fantastic.”
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