Blackthorn Cider: Difference between revisions
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'''Blackthorn Cider''' is a [[cider]] produced by [[Gaymer Cider Company]], a subsidiary |
{{Short description|Cider produced by Gaymer Cider Company}} |
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[[File:Blackthorn can and glass.JPG|thumb|right|Blackthorn Cider]] |
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'''Blackthorn Cider''' is a [[cider]] produced by [[Gaymer Cider Company]], a subsidiary of [[C&C Group plc|C&C Group]]. Previously it was known as Blackthorn Dry or Dry Blackthorn. It is sold in a variety of forms, commonly being served [[draft beer|draught]] in pubs or being sold in {{convert|440|ml|floz|abbr=on}} cans or two-litre bottles in shops or supermarkets. |
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==Background== |
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The [[Taunton Cider Company]] had produced traditional ciders from 1905 in [[Norton Fitzwarren]], and became a limited company in 1921. After [[World War II]], Taunton bought up local competitors, and from the 1950s started developing [[pasteurised]] sparkling ciders, which allowed the company 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} |
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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. |
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==Production and formulation== |
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| ⚫ | As a non-traditional pasteurised sparkling cider, Blackthorn does not fit the definition of "real cider" as defined by the [[Campaign for Real Ale]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=aboutcider | title= About Cider | publisher= CAMRA | accessdate= 9 March 2010| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214044352/http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=aboutcider | archivedate=14 February 2010 }}</ref> 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. |
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| ⚫ | Until 2016, Blackthorn was produced at the [[C&C Group]] site on the [[A37 road|A37]] in [[Shepton Mallet]] ([[Mendip District|Mendip district]], [[Somerset]], England). After the production was moved from Norton Fitzwarren, the recipe was changed, making the taste sweeter and raising the alcohol content to bring the product more into line with the market leader [[Strongbow Cider|Strongbow]].{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} |
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| ⚫ | In March 2009, Blackthorn was reformulated. |
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| ⚫ | 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Blackthorn cider turns fans sour|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/new-blackthorn-cider-turns-fans-386202|work=Daily Mirror|accessdate=4 August 2013|date=4 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Joe|title=Gaymer's Cider relaunch sparks backlash by West Country loyalists|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/896507/gaymers-cider-relaunch-sparks-backlash-west-country-loyalists|work=Marketing Magazine|accessdate=4 August 2013|date=6 April 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Drink up your cider Bristol . . . Dry Blackthorn will taste dry again|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Drink-cider-Bristol-Dry-Blackthorn-taste-try/story-11279160-detail/story.html#axzz2b0kDHgsK|work=This is Bristol|accessdate=4 August 2013|date=5 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527134836/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Drink-cider-Bristol-Dry-Blackthorn-taste-try/story-11279160-detail/story.html#axzz2b0kDHgsK|archive-date=27 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackthorn.uk.com/products |title=Blackthorn Cider |accessdate=2014-07-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730035316/http://www.blackthorn.uk.com/products |archivedate=2014-07-30 }}</ref> |
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On 1st of March 2013 it was announced that Blackthorn Cider would be the new sponsor for [[Rangers FC]] for their 2013/14 football kits. It was announced that the deal would be for a 1-year initial partnership, as well as continuing to sponsor [[Bristol City]]. |
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In January 2016, [[C&C Group]] announced that the Shepton Mallet site would close in summer 2016, with production and packaging transferred to Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/15/shepton-mallet-in-shock-with-cider-mill-set-to-close|title = Shepton Mallet in shock with cider mill set to close|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 15 January 2016}}</ref> It was also announced that C&C would 'continue to source apples on a long-term basis from local farmers' and 'warehousing operations will be maintained in the town'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/west/update/2016-01-12/somerset-cider-factory-to-axe-120-jobs/|title = Somerset cider factory to axe 120 jobs}}</ref> |
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== References == |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[List of cider brands]] |
*[[List of cider brands]] |
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== References == |
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* [http://www.blackthorn-cider.com/ Official website] |
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[[Category:Somerset ciders]] |
[[Category:Somerset ciders]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:46, 19 January 2024
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.
Background
[edit]The Taunton Cider Company had produced traditional ciders from 1905 in Norton Fitzwarren, and became a limited company in 1921. After World War II, Taunton bought up local competitors, and from the 1950s started developing pasteurised sparkling ciders, which allowed the company 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.[citation needed]
Production and formulation
[edit]As a non-traditional pasteurised sparkling cider, Blackthorn 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.
Until 2016, Blackthorn was produced at the C&C Group site on the A37 in Shepton Mallet (Mendip district, Somerset, England). After the production was moved from Norton Fitzwarren, the recipe was changed, making the taste sweeter and raising the alcohol content to bring the product more into line with the market leader Strongbow.[citation needed]
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]
In January 2016, C&C Group announced that the Shepton Mallet site would close in summer 2016, with production and packaging transferred to Ireland.[6] It was also announced that C&C would 'continue to source apples on a long-term basis from local farmers' and 'warehousing operations will be maintained in the town'.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "About Cider". CAMRA. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
- ^ "New Blackthorn cider turns fans sour". Daily Mirror. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ Thomas, Joe (6 April 2009). "Gaymer's Cider relaunch sparks backlash by West Country loyalists". Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ "Drink up your cider Bristol . . . Dry Blackthorn will taste dry again". This is Bristol. 5 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ "Blackthorn Cider". Archived from the original on 2014-07-30. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
- ^ "Shepton Mallet in shock with cider mill set to close". TheGuardian.com. 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Somerset cider factory to axe 120 jobs".