The Cranberry Marketing Committee, USA (CMC) and the Boxing Cat Brewery of Shanghai announced a new, limited edition Cranberry Superfruit Ale at an event for Chinese media on June 18. The unique beer is made with cranberry juice concentrate, and its name was inspired by the U.S. cranberry’s nickname, “America’s Original Superfruit®.” The beer and media event were created to demonstrate the many uses for cranberry juice concentrate during the summer season. The new beer is available at Boxing Cat Brewery locations throughout Shanghai while supplies last.

The Cranberry Superfruit Ale has a refreshing tartness and ruby red color, and cranberry flavor shines brilliantly through in each sip; the cranberry is complemented by a pleasant malt sweetness and light caramel notes. This specialty beer is the second collaboration between the CMC and Boxing Cat Brewery. The first was a Cashmere Cranberry Porter, released in February 2014.

“The versatility of cranberry juice concentrate has allowed us to bring completely new ideas and flavor combinations to our beers. The concentrate lent itself perfectly to both the porter in 2014 and the ale in 2015, so I’m sure this is just the beginning,” said Michael Jordan, Brewmaster at Boxing Cat Brewery.

Eddie Yang, cocktail master and ambassador for DRiNK Magazine, China’s leading bar industry magazine, served as mixologist for the launch event, shaking and stirring four cranberry beverages for media to taste alongside the Cranberry Superfruit Ale: Cranberry Apple Iced Tea, Cran-Cider Shandy, Crangria and The Cran-Contrast.

The U.S. cranberry was also highlighted in the food served at the event. The cranberry, in all its forms, can be used in both sweet and savory culinary creations year-round. The increasingly popular cranberry is a rich source of unique phenolic compounds that may help to maintain urinary tract and stomach health. Emerging research suggests that consuming cranberry products may also provide additional benefits.

“The U.S. cranberry only recently began appearing in Chinese supermarkets and restaurants, so many people in China are just discovering the tart and tangy taste and versatility of the cranberry in its many forms. When a new market discovers cranberries, the creativity and enthusiasm is astounding; from cocktails to pizza, the sky’s the limit. Our second collaboration with Boxing Cat Brewery, the Cranberry Superfruit Ale, is a prime example of that,” said Michelle Hogan, Executive Director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee, USA.