Award-winning artisan beer brand Empress is now available to fans across the country after winning a listing with online retailer Ocado.  

Empress' unique gluten-free lager has started 2024 with a bang by being stocked nationwide by Ocado, along with its IPA and Pale Ale, making it easier than ever to get hold of them. 

The listing is the next step forward in the local brewery's aim of becoming the number one premium, British, gluten-free, organic and vegan lager in the UK.

It comes after the artisan beer brand, which was launched in Leamington Spa, was previously listed in Waitrose stores across the country and also took pride of place in a takeover at the chain's flagship Canary Wharf store in 2023. 

Empress, which was founded in 2016, has built a reputation as a top-quality British beer, providing unrivalled quality and pairing so well with food that it is listed in some of the best restaurants across the country.

Empress is available in venues including Tom Kerridge's Michelin-starred Hand and Flowers and Michelin-starred restaurant Opheem in Birmingham, as well as The Peninsula Hotel, featuring Claude Bosi's rooftop restaurant Brooklands. 

It was also the beer of choice at celebrations for the World's 50 Best Hotels in 2023, held at five-star hotel The Langham, and is stocked in prestigious venues including the world-famous Royal Academy of Music in London. 

Empress' flagship product is its lager, which is rapidly winning acclaim for being gluten-free and organic as well as great tasting - scooping a silver award in the coveted Great British Food Awards alongside Empress IPA. 

Founder Surj Virk said the high-profile appearance along with an award recognising its quality are the latest steps in the Empress' mission to become the UK's beer of choice in restaurants, bars, hotels and homes.

He said: "To be listed in Ocado is a great way to start 2024 after a brilliant year for Empress in 2023, which saw us become available in more restaurants and venues than ever, growing our brand awareness and exposing us to more beer lovers on the look-out for an artisan, British, quality product, so they can put us to the test against other lagers out there. 

"Ocado and Waitrose were key targets for us, and being listed with huge names like this improves our visibility and means beer lovers across the country can find us and get to enjoy the Empress taste, before hopefully going on to try our draught beers in one of the many venues we're stocked in across the UK. We've also launched an introductory offer with Ocado on all of our products so people can get 20% off when they try it. 

"We've got big plans for the coming year, with our beers set to be available in more pubs and restaurants, and invitations to be involved in some major events, so watch this space.

"Empress is well on its way to becoming one of the premier beer brands in the UK and our lager is really making waves with people who want a great-tasting, gluten-free, organic lager that is up there with the best, and we're excited for what the future holds."