Batemans Good Honest Ales® Return to U.S. After 10-Year Absence
Arrival Scheduled for September 2008

Batemans Brewery of Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, England and SBS-Imports of Seattle, Washington are pleased to announce the return of Batemans Ales to United States after a ten-year absence. Batemans flagship Triple XB (XXXB) Classic Pale Ale and Batemans Combined Harvest Multigrain Beer will arrive in late September.

Founded in 1874, Batemans is one of the few remaining multi-generational family brewers in England. Now under the guidance of fourth-generation of family management, the Brewery has prospered not only on the strength of its flagship Triple XB (XXXB) but also by an imaginative expansion of the range of bottled ales.

"Our family’s struggle to remain independent was richly rewarded as Triple XB (XXXB) was named Champion Premium Bitter at the Great British Beer Festival four consecutive years," noted Managing Director Stuart Bateman. "We are thrilled to build on that success and return to the USA market in partnership with SBS," added Marketing Director Jaclyn Bateman.

Batemans Triple XB (XXXB) is a classic English premium pale ale, with a deep bronze colour, and a pleasing interplay between grassy hops and a solid malt backbone. Combined Harvest is a smooth golden ale brewed with wheat, rye, and oats in addition to malted barley. It has an initial sweetness that is quickly overtaken by a gentle hop bitterness and crispy fruit acidity. Both products will be sold in cases of 12-16.9 ounce (500ml) proprietary bottles, with a suggested retail price of $4.99 per bottle. The SBS distributor network will receive their initial shipments in late September.

"Batemans is a fantastic addition to the SBS portfolio," commented SBS Founder and President, Alan Shapiro. "Rarely do brands of this caliber become available, and I know that lovers of classic English ales look forward to their arrival."

SBS-Imports was created in 2003 by specialty beer industry veteran Alan Shapiro. In addition to Batemans, SBS represents Aspall English Cyders from Suffolk, England and the De Proef Brewmaster?s Collection from Lochristi, Belgium. SBS also is a partner in Reunion – A Beer for Hope, which raises funds for the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. More information is available at www.sbs-imports.com.