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.”
Jul 8, 2016
Thatchers Cider has produced two new, limited edition Special Vintage Ciders.
Somerset Redstreak and Katy, 7.4%, has been 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.
The second of the pair, Tremletts Falstaff, also 7.4%, offers a long, dry finish, and a rich full bodied flavour.
Both of these cider makers’ specials are available as Limited Edition ciders, and are available exclusively from the Thatchers Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm in Somerset.
“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. “Our cidermakers are indeed craftsmen, and they’ve been perfecting their skills for many years – the results are here for us all to enjoy in these two very special, limited edition ciders.”
Jul 7, 2016
Westons Stowford Press Cider has launched a new TV ad, which features the brand’s new strapline for the first time, of “100% local home-pressed apples”. The £1.5m TV ad forms part of Westons £2.5m investment into the brand this year.
The new TV ad, which was developed by McCann Bristol, will launch and air on Channel 4 until September and includes a 30-second and 10-second version. Filmed entirely at Westons Cider Mill and the surrounding Westons orchards in Herefordshire, the ad follows the journey of Stowford Press Cider from apple blossom through to the glass. The aim of the ad is to bring to life the authenticity of the Stowford Press brand and hero the new strapline, “100% local home-pressed apples”.
The new strapline will also feature across all Westons packaging from September, including its 500ml can and bottle formats as well as new Stowford Press drip mats in the on-trade. A new watermarked apple design will also feature across the 500ml bottle and can. The new strapline will also be introduced across all Stowford Press glassware from September, as well as a new pint and half-pint glass shape.
Phoebe Small, Stowford Press brand manager, says: “We are extremely excited to be announcing our raft of summer activity, which all comes under the new strapline of “100% local home-pressed apples” and reminds consumers that all apples used in Stowford Press Cider are locally sourced to the Westons Cider Mill in Herefordshire.
Westons Cider is now run by the fourth generation of the Weston family, which has been producing traditional English cider in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle since 1880.
