Where To Buy Rooster's Brewery Yankee And Hazy Faced Assassin Beers In Sainsbury's Yorkshire

If you ever find yourself wandering down the beer aisle, you'll know it can be a bit of a jungle. So, it's always brilliant news when a local hero cuts through the noise. That's exactly what's happened for Rooster's Brewing Co., a fantastic brewery from Harrogate.

As of 27th October, they've landed a massive success by getting a new listing for two of their brilliant beers in Sainsbury's stores across Yorkshire. It's a tale of two very different brews: one a true legend of British beer that kickstarted a revolution, and the other a modern, juicy superstar. This isn't just about putting cans on shelves; it's a celebration of over thirty years of brewing excellence.

A tale of two beers: old school meets new school

So, what's all the fuss about? Well, Sainsbury's hasn't just picked one beer; it has chosen two that perfectly represent the Rooster's story. On one hand, there's Yankee, the brewery's flagship pale ale. Think of it as the original trailblazer.

On the other hand, there's Hazy Faced Assassin, a bang-up-to-date hazy IPA that's already making waves. Having both on the shelf is like seeing a rock legend sharing a stage with the hottest new act. Tom Fozard, Rooster's Commercial Director, summed it up perfectly: "We're proud to have both Yankee and Hazy Faced Assassin sitting side by side in Sainsbury's." He explained that Yankee is where it all began, while the newer faced assassin is very much a beer for today.

What's the story with the legendary Yankee?

Picture the British beer scene back in 1993. It was, for the most part, a world of dark, malty ales. Nothing wrong with that, but things were about to get a serious shake-up. Rooster's launched Yankee, a pale ale that did something pretty radical at the time: it used imported American hops. Why was that a big deal? Well, these hops brought bright, citrusy, zesty flavours that were a world away from the traditional stuff. It was a game-changer.

The name 'Yankee' is a little nod to that fact. It helped redefine British beer and introduced a whole generation of drinkers to a new world of flavour. And now, over 30 years later, this absolute classic is making a comeback in 500ml bottles in 26 Sainsbury's stores.

Meet the new kid: Hazy Faced Assassin

Now, let's talk about the new superstar. Launched in May this year, Hazy Faced Assassin is what's known as a hazy IPA. If you're not sure what that means, just think juicy, fruity, and less bitter than a traditional IPA. It's also cloudy, or 'hazy', which is where the name comes from. This one has a 5.7% ABV (that's alcohol by volume, a measure of how strong it is) and is described by the brewery as a "crushable, flavour-forward IPA that punches well above its weight."

It's brewed with a seriously cool mix of hops, Citra, Galaxy, and Mosaic, which give it a tropical burst of mango and peach. It's got a family connection too; it's a new take on the brewery's other famous IPA, Baby-Faced Assassin. This new addition is already proving a huge success, having been snapped up by Morrisons, Co-op, and ASDA. And now, it's hitting Sainsbury's in slick 440ml cans.

From bottles to cans and back again

It's interesting to see how the packaging tells a story too. The Harrogate-based brewery was actually one of the very first in the country to get its own canning line way back in 2014. Cans became the cool, modern way to package craft beer. So, for Yankee to return in 500ml bottles for this Sainsbury's listing is a really lovely throwback to its roots. It's a nod to tradition.

Meanwhile, Hazy Faced Assassin is being sold in the now-standard 440ml cans, showing Rooster's has its finger firmly on the pulse of modern beer trends. This double act of old and new shows a brewery that respects its history while constantly innovating. It's this balance that's key to their brewing excellence.

A word from the brewery

Tom Fozard's comments really get to the point of this exciting news. "Yankee is where our story began; over thirty years since it was first brewed it continues to be a very sought-after beer in all pack types," he said. "Equally, but for very different reasons, Hazy Faced Assassin is very much a beer of the here and now, so it's particularly pleasing both have been selected side by side."

It's clear that both of these beers hold a special place. He finished by saying, "Both beers embody our love of hops and unwavering devotion to brewing fantastic pale ales and IPAs." It's that passion you can taste in every sip. For anyone in Yorkshire, this is a brilliant chance to support a local brewery and try two fantastic examples of British beer, whether you're after a timeless classic or a modern flavour bomb.