Sep 16, 2016
The National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) proudly unveils its new website today, further underlining its reputation as the authority on all cider matters and promoting #greatbritishciders.
A visit to www.cideruk.com provides an even greater depth of information than before, now presented in a more accessible and interactive format. The new website also reflects the changes in the NACM over the last 12 months, with full time employees ensuring the organisation is a more visible, relevant and effective organisation.
Martin Thatcher, Chairman of the NACM, said, ‘This new website provides the perfect platform for the NACM to tell cider’s unique story. We are an industry with a rich history, a proud heritage and tradition, but we are incredibly relevant.’
He goes on,’ Cider makers are critical to the rural communities in which they operate, through employment, apple growing and affiliated services. Cider makers’ continued investment and innovation make an important contribution to the future of these communities.’
The website showcases the role and importance of apple varieties, the cider making process and the differences between cider and perry. Cider and food matching, a growing trend, is explored, with suggestions provided on pairing the perfect cider for any meal.
The cider category is incredibly innovative and diverse, with a cider for every occasion, whether that be a crisp and refreshing thirst-quencher, a bold and rich cider for the fireside, a dry sparkling cider for celebration, or a fruity cider to match with a piece of strong cheese.
The breadth and scope of the new website is greater than ever before. ‘The NACM is now in a position to advocate this fantastic drink to a wider audience, including the drinks trade and the consumer’, explains NACM Communications Officer, Gabe Cook. He continues,’ We continue to be the authority on all cider matters, but now with an active news page, Twitter and Facebook accounts we can spread the word even more effectively on #greatbritishciders.’
Notes
- NACM is the UK cider industry representative body, working on behalf of large and small producers
Sep 16, 2016
The National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) has hosted its inaugural Technical Seminar in Hereford this week. This event brought together cider technical expertise from all around the world, on a host of topics pertinent to the modern cider maker in the UK.
Amongst the excellent turn out of over 60 people were representatives from a wide variety of producers, spanning from Cornwall to Scotland, and ranging in size from artisan scale producers, all the way up to the world’s largest.
Jean-Pierre Stassen, President of AICV, the European Cider Association, kicked off the day with an overview of the European cider market, and was followed up by in depth presentation from John Worle, sharing his 50 years of cider apple growing experience.
The afternoon session comprised of an in-depth overview of polyphenols by Dr Andrew Lea, craft cider guru and formerly of the Long Ashton Research Institute. He demonstrated the unique role they play in the aroma and flavour of West Country style ciders. The session was rounded off by Sigrid Gertsen-Schibbye, from Lallemand, who welcomed the audience into the world of yeast nutrients, and their critical influence over the quality of cider making.
The response to the seminar from attendees was incredibly positive, and the NACM has promised to host an improved session next year, building upon the learnings from this first attempt.
NACM Communications Officer, Gabe Cook, said, ‘Today’s successful seminar demonstrates that cider makers are constantly seeking to improve their technical knowledge, to make ever increasingly innovative, complex and quality products.’ He continues,’ The diversity of cider makers’, and their products, is a unique attribute to the category, and we will continue to facilitate producers to improve their technical knowledge.’
Sep 12, 2016
Westons is launching a collection of canned craft ciders for the off-trade market, which will add value to the cider category. This follows the launch of Caple Rd Cider, the UK’s first craft cider in a can.
The collection of lightly sparkling ciders is available from this week in Tesco stores nationwide and comprises Caple Rd No. 5 and two cloudy flavoured ciders under the Rosie’s Pig brand, which both have an authentic craft look and feel.
Rosie’s Pig Handbrake Cloudy Cider with Damson is a slowly matured, medium-sweet cider which has hints of cherry and hedgerow fruits and a sharp finish. Rosie’s Pig Flat Tyre Cloudy Cider with Rhubarb is made from freshly pressed apples paired with a refreshing infusion of rhubarb juice to provide a fruity taste and tart finish.
The final launch in the collection is the result of a collaboration between Westons Cider and Purity Brewing Company to create a hopped cider – Pure Hopped – which is a blend of English cider made from apple juice from Herefordshire and a dash of the finest hops from Worcestershire.
“Pure Hopped is the result of a chance meeting on a visit to Worcestershire-based fruit and hop farm, Stocks Farm, which brought together Westons head cider maker Guy Lawrence and Purity’s founder Paul Halsey. As they meandered though hop bines and orchards at Ali Capper’s idyllic Stocks Farm an idea struck them both. They shared a cursory look and both thought ‘what if…’
“Enjoying a drink at the end of the walk, looking out over the rows of hops and apple orchards, Guy told Paul to bring his finest hops to the cider mill where they would combine them with a unique blend of 100% cider apples. Two weeks later they poured two glasses straight from the tap.”
Aug 28, 2016
Aston Manor Cider has announced that Grocery Aid will be the company’s nominated charity.
As part of its involvement with Grocery Aid, Aston Manor Cider has already provided a high level of support to the charity at regional and national events.
Grocery Aid also benefits from Aston Manor’s partnerships with other organisations. Through its relationship with Tough Mudder, Aston Manor provided Grocery Aid with places at the upcoming events in 2016, giving the charity another platform to raise funds. At the recent Summer Ball the company supplied tickets to a Rugby League Four Nations game, thanks to its partnership with England Rugby League.
Money donated from any fund-raising incentives the cider maker organises, will go directly to the charity.
The decision came after the business saw first-hand what the charity has done to support its own employees with professional advice and guidance.
With nine regional branches across the UK, Grocery Aid provides support to any workers in the grocery channel from factory floor to shop floor. The charity offers a broad range of services to help those in need from financial assistance to counselling and career advice.
Glen Friel, sales and marketing director at Aston Manor Cider, said: “It made sense to us to make Grocery Aid our nominated charity. The service it provides, which extends to our own colleagues, is excellent. We’re proud to be able to help the charity as it does so much for very many who work in our industry.
“We’ve been able to be creative with how we can help the charity through our partnerships with organisations like the Rugby Football League and Tough Mudder. We also have the opportunity to provide some fun activities at their events.
“For example, we took the Kingstone Press bespoke ‘juice bike’, which presses and juices apples as the rider pedals, to the recent Summer Ball – it was a huge hit.”
Aug 18, 2016
Two of Thatchers ciders have received medals at the 2016 British Bottlers Institute annual awards.
The Thatchers Special Vintage Redstreak and Katy cider have been awarded a gold medal in the category for ciders 5.5% abv and above. Whilst their cloudy cider, Thatchers Haze, received a silver medal in the category for ciders 4-5.4% abv.
The ciders are all blind-tasted in the annual competition, which was founded in 1953. The British Bottlers’ Institute has long been a crucial supporter to the bottling and packaging industry.
Thatchers Special Vintage Redstreak and Katy, 7.4%, is crafted from these two favourite varieties of apple to create a fine, full-flavoured cider which has a light fragrant aroma and soft rounded finish.
Thatchers Haze is a 4.5% naturally cloudy cider, crafted from Discovery, Falstaff, Gala and Jonagold eating apples to create its crisp, sweet finish. It’s the juice of the Jonagold apple that gives the cider its all-natural haze.
“Understanding apple varieties and how they each bring their special character to a cider is such an important and valuable skill,” says Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker. “We’re delighted that the BBI has recognised this in these two beautiful ciders that we craft here at Myrtle Farm.”
