Blackthorn Cider
Blackthorn Cider is a
Background
The
Production and formulation
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
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
References
- ^ "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.
- TheGuardian.com. 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Somerset cider factory to axe 120 jobs".