Sep 10, 2017
New alcohol consumer organisation, Drinkers’ Voice, has revealed an exclusive poll which
highlights that 70% of the UK’s drinkers don’t listen to official alcohol guidelines. We would
like you to join us in supporting them in their fight against the anti-alcohol lobby!
Drinkers’ Voice is a brand new initiative which seeks to bring the public back into the debate on alcohol and health. You’ll know that for too long this debate has been dominated by the anti-alcohol lobby, which has sought to denormalise drinking and restrict people’s access to alcohol. As a result, we have seen the UK’s alcohol guidelines reduced last year without credible evidence to justify it. As the poll shows, this has widened the gap between government’s instruction and people who want to just enjoy a drink.
The grassroots organisation will have spokespeople in communities across the country –
normal people who are passionate about their right to enjoy a drink, and who want to speak up for everyone who does so in moderation. Through every media channel possible, they will speak up for normal responsible drinkers, celebrate the joys of alcohol and rebut the myths spread by those whose agenda is to restrict the availability of alcohol and increase its price, so that it becomes inaccessible.
We believe that is important that people understand the benefits of drinking alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle. We want people to talk about enjoying a drink with friends enhances their wellbeing, and how scientific evidence shows that moderate drinking can help heart and cognitive health. You can be part of it.
This is an opportunity to build a mass movement which brings common sense into the
conversation on drinking. But it can’t be achieved without generosity from those who believe in this cause. For as little as £5, you can pledge your donation here.
You can find out more information about Drinkers’ Voice and donate by visiting the website: www.drinkersvoice.org.uk
Sep 7, 2017
Thatchers Cider has taken to the skies over Somerset with its first hot air balloon. Emblazoned with the strapline “What Cider’s Supposed to Taste Like”, the yellow and green balloon will make its Bristol International Balloon Fiesta debut, from 10th – 13th August.
An official partner of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Thatchers is a familiar face at the world-famous event, with its ciders available for purchase throughout the Fiesta’s bars.
Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cidermaker says,
“It’s a very proud moment to see our first balloon float over the Somerset skies. We’d like to thank Nigel from First Flight, our pilot for all his help in getting us flying.”
He adds, “The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is synonymous with the city and it’s been a real pleasure to be associated with the event for a number of years. People have asked us on many occasion when we will launch our own hot air balloon – and the answer is now!”
The balloon has been created by Cameron Balloons.
Thatchers has been making cider at its farm in Sandford, Somerset, since 1904.
Aug 21, 2017
Aston Manor Cider, the UK’s largest independent cider maker, has beaten its record 2016 award haul just eight months into the year. Six new accolades for product quality and design have taken the 2017 total to 22, five more than the last year.
Plaudits include two stars for its premium cider Knights Malvern Gold from the Great Taste Awards, which are considered the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.
Knights Malvern Gold was also named the Best British (non-sparkling) cider at the World Cider Awards, joining Gold medals for Friels First Press Vintage (sparkling dry) and Friels Hop Infused (flavoured hopped). Its mainstream brand, Kingstone Press, received a Silver medal in the sparkling medium category.
The World Cider Awards is an international competition that selects the very best in all the recognised styles of cider. The medals for Aston Manor represent yet more success for its premium and mainstream ciders on the global stage, following a Gold, Silver and several Bronze awards from the International Cider Challenge and a Gold and Silver from the International Cider Awards earlier this year.
The business wrapped up the week with a prestigious design award for its recently launched Friels First Press Vintage 5l mini-keg, as well as the popular 330ml can. Both formats received a Silver medal from a leading panel of judges at the Harpers Design Awards, which celebrate the products at the cutting edge of design and innovation.
Success at the Harpers awards closely follows a fantastic haul at the British Bottlers Institute (BBI) Awards where the cider-maker scooped two Gold, three Silver medals and a Diploma of Excellence.
Gordon Johncox, chief executive of Aston Manor Cider, said: “We were delighted with our award wins in 2016, so to beat our own record this year with four months to go is an achievement that we are quite rightly proud of.”
Recently, the business was also recognised for its impressive track-record of innovation at the West Midlands Business Masters. Shortlisted alongside other prominent businesses in the region, Aston Manor won thanks to the great strides made in reducing water and energy consumption at its Stourport-on-Severn apple processing facility.
Johncox concluded: “After several years of investment in both our production facilities and product development, we are pleased to see how national and international recognition for our products and innovation is supporting the excellent reputation we feel is merited, given the quality of our operations and of our people.”
Aug 3, 2017
Thatchers Cider and HMS Somerset have teamed up to promote the county of Somerset and bring a few home comforts to everyone on board ship.
Chris Milton, Off-Trade & Export Sales Director at Thatchers Cider, presented a Thatchers branded “RAS” (replenish at sea) flag to Commander Tim Berry of HMS Somerset at a reception for 100 local dignitaries, while the ship was docked at Avonmouth.
Chris had met members of the crew at a Yeovil Town football match in February and in this social setting Commander Tim Berry asked if Thatchers would be prepared to make a RAS flag that the ship could fly when replenishing at sea, or in and out of selected ports.
Tim is Somerset born, bred and schooled having attended Richard Huish School in Taunton, his grandfather was a farmer in Chard and even made his own cider. Tim is doing as much as he can as Captain of the ship named after his county of birth to promote it and he especially loves Thatchers Cider!
The Petty Officers mess has also been “Thatcherised” with glassware, drip mats and bar runners after 30 of the officers and crew including Tim came for a tour of Myrtle Farm, who confided that they were fascinated at the production process for our latest tipple Thatchers Haze.
Chris Milton says, “We have been absolutely delighted to team up with HMS Somerset and we hope that our relationship will flourish over coming months and years. We will be supporting the crew in the Royal Navy Beach Fires Rugby Tournament on the 19th July, with the Thatchers logo featuring on their shirts.
“We are proud to be on board HMS Somerset, and wish everyone safe travels.”
HMS Somerset was ordered in June 1994 and has her home at the Port of Devonport just west of Plymouth.
She is named after the Dukedom of Somerset and is the fourth ship named after the county to serve in the Royal Navy – the previous three were all in service in the 18th Century.
www.thatcherscider.co.uk
Jun 9, 2017
Thatchers Cider’s Redstreak cider has been awarded the top award, Supreme Champion, at the International Cider Challenge 2017. One of the industry’s highest accolades, the International Cider Challenge is an annual competition organised by trade publication Drinks Retailing News, regularly attracting hundreds of entries from across the globe.
Redstreak, part of the Thatchers Cider Barn range, is an 8.4% single variety cider made from local Somerset Redstreak apples.
To create the Cider Barn range, cidermakers at Thatchers use their knowledge of the apples from each harvest to work with a single variety, or combine two varieties together that balance and complement each other.
The Somerset Redstreak bittersweet apple is high in tannin and big on flavour, creating the Redstreak cider that is bold and peppery, with a spicy apple pie flavour, smooth feel and deep rich colour.
The cidermakers at Myrtle Farm have embraced the cuvage technique in this cider, where the apples are milled and then held for a day before pressing out the juice, so developing the best flavour for this variety.
Thatchers also scooped a total of 8 other medals for its ciders in the International Cider Challenge – including silver medals for Thatchers Gold, Cider Barn Spartan and Stan’s Barrel Roller, and Bronze awards for Thatchers Vintage, Katy, and the third in the Cider Barn range, Morgan Sweet & Grenadier.
Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cidermaker says, “Being able to produce limited edition ciders with some of our favourite apple varieties of each harvest is a real joy. We’re absolutely delighted that the judges singled out Redstreak as their Supreme Champion. This cider has always been a winner in our eyes, and we’re thrilled they agree.”
This year the expert panel of judges, headed by tasting chairman Pete Brown, included drinks buyers, cider experts and journalists, teasing out the best ciders the world has to offer. Entries came from as far afield as Australia, Czech Republic and the USA. Each cider was tasted blind by the 16 strong panel.
Pete Brown said, “Our Supreme Champion Redstreak just had it all. Thatchers is currently doing an enormous amount of work to educate people on the properties of different apple varieties, how they work individually and how they combine. The pace and scope of what some people refer to as “innovation” in the category is in danger of confusing what cider is supposed to be about – great apples, given their best expression. And that’s what we celebrate here.”
Redstreak is available in Thatchers Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm, Sandford, or online at www.thatcherscider.co.uk
