Blackthorn Cider
Blackthorn Cider is a cider produced by Gaymer Cider Company, a subsidiary of C&C Group. Previously it was known as Blackthorn Dry or Dry Blackthorn. It is sold in a variety of forms, commonly being served draught in pubs or being sold in 440 ml (15 imp fl oz; 15 US fl oz) cans or two-litre bottles in shops or supermarkets.
Contents
Background
The Taunton Cider Company had produced traditional ciders from 1905 in Norton Fitzwarren, and became a limited company in 1921. Post-World War 2, it bought up local competitors, and from the 1950s started developing pasteurised sparkling ciders, which allowed them to distribute product across the United Kingdom. The first Blackthorn-branded ciders were produced from the 1960s onwards, and became the company's main product line. In 1996 drinks company Matthew Clark plc, the UK division of Constellation Brands Inc., acquired Taunton Cider and all of its associated brands for £256 million.
Production and formulation
A non-traditional pasteurised sparkling cider, it resultantly does not fit the definition of "real cider" as defined by the Campaign for Real Ale.[1] Where traditional cider is made with whole pressed apples fermented by the wild yeasts present on the skins, Blackthorn contains apple concentrate, sugar and sweeteners and is fermented with a controlled yeast strain.
Presently Blackthorn is produced at the Gaymer Cider Company site on the A37 in Shepton Mallet (Mendip District, Somerset, England). Due to the move from Taunton, the recipe was soon changed, making the taste sweeter and raising the alcohol content to bring the product more into line with the market leader Strongbow.
In March 2009, Blackthorn was reformulated. It was not well received by many consumers in its heartland in the south west of England, who defaced The 'Black is Back' advertising campaign, alerted the press to their cause and organised Facebook protests.[2][3] In March 2010, however, Gaymers announced that after the consumer backlash in the south west, the 'original' Dry Blackthorn recipe would be re-introduced in the region.[4] As a result, there are now two clearly defined products, Blackthorn and Dry Blackthorn, the latter being the original recipe, available only in the West Country.[5]
Sponsorship
On 1 March 2013 it was announced that Blackthorn Cider would be the new sponsor for Rangers FC for their 2013/14 football kits. The deal would be for a 1-year initial partnership. Blackthorn would also continue to sponsor Bristol City.[6]
See also
References
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- ↑ http://www.blackthorn.uk.com/products
- ↑ http://www.blackthorn.uk.com/sponsorship
