NEWS
Special edition – Steel River ’ s ‘ Spirit of 86 ’ gin is inspired by an iconic Boro team .
LABOUR OF
LOVE
Design talent complements drinks expertise at gin , vodka and rum specialist
Teesside ’ s leading artisan drinks company Steel River Drinks is offering an exciting new service – and it ’ s all about you ! The business recently hired a graphic designer to provide private and corporate customers with a bespoke design service for their gin , vodka and rum bottles .
Customers can choose their own designs based on templates and add personalised messages , logos and even photos .
The idea came after company founder Jay Byers produced a limited run of fundraising Christmas gins for the Teesside Charity , which ordered a second batch for its summer ball .
“ It was our first corporate gin , and we donated £ 10 from each bottle so the charity could help folks who really need it ,” says Jay .
That success led firms to ask if Steel River could make gins as gifts for clients and staff .
Steel River believes bottles of gin , vodka or rum make the perfect corporate gifts . The firm had more success over Christmas with football-themed gins based on the big five North-East teams .
Jay smiled : “ We sold plenty of UTB gins , obviously , but there must be a fair few Toon and Mackem footy fans on Teesside too !
“ What really sold them was the bottom front label on the bottle , which customers could personalise or have us do it for them .”
The firm has also produced one-off gins for customers celebrating wedding anniversaries or birthdays , leading to further requests from individuals and businesses alike .
“ Sometimes it ’ s a very special message for a loved one that makes the bottle bespoke , but sometimes there ’ s a charitable element , such as the gin to raise money for Parky .”
Jay saw a Facebook post by Middlesbrough legend Bernie Slaven promoting a fundraising night at Middlesbrough Town Hall for his former team-mate Gary Parkinson , who suffers from locked-in syndrome .
“ I went to the same school as Parky and he was a hero to us Thornaby lads ,” says Jay . “ It ’ s tragic what ’ s happened to him , but his spirit has never been broken and I just wanted to do my bit .”
Jay contacted Bernie through mutual friend Tony Wedlake and offered a ‘ Spirit of 86 ’ gin in aid of the Gary Parkinson Trust .
The Spirit of 86 labels will be on 86 specially made bottles of gin signed by players and management from that special 1986 Boro team , hopefully raising more than £ 5,000 .
“ This is the type of bespoke , one-off bottles I love ,” says Jay . “ It ’ s great to use our drinks and design expertise to help initiatives , charities and good causes .”
Another bespoke gin bottle Jay is proud of is a ‘ Labour of Love ’ - to raise money for the Labour Party .
“ It ’ s time for another party to run the country in a better , more honest and proper way ,” says Jay . “ I firmly believe that is the Labour Party and I wanted to do my bit .”
The bottle will be available on the Steel River Drinks website and £ 10 from each bottle goes to party funds . “ The Conservatives have traditionally been good at getting donations from businesses .
“ I wanted to show that many businesses now believe the Labour Party know and care more about small businesses like mine , which are the lifeblood of the local economy and community .
“ I ’ m super proud of this gin because everything I do at Steel River and for my community is exactly that , a labour of love .”
Spirited – Jay Byers at the Steel River Speakeasy Bar .
If you are a business or individual who would like a beautiful bespoke bottle of gin , vodka or rum of your own , contact the Steel River Drinks team on 07776 325859 or email sayhello @ steelriverdrinks . com .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 147