Thatchers has launched a premium cloudy cider brand called Somerset Haze in time for the summer spike in cider drinking. The new 4.5% abv cider is made from Discovery, Falstaff, Gala and Jonagold apples and is targeted at young adults that enjoy a sweeter, easy-drinking style. Fourth generation cidermaker Martin Thatcher said: “Somerset Haze gives those drinkers who are looking for an easy drinking, cloudy…

Blackthorn Cider is being given a new look and launching a dark fruit variant, Black ‘n’ Black. The revamp aims to show off the brand’s Somerset heritage. Cans  of all variants will feature the words “Somerset pressed” along with the Somerset dragon and the Shepton Mallet market cross. Marketing manager Andy Cross said: “We have redesigned the packaging to reflect the quality and craftsmanship that…

Thatchers has released a limited edition cider made from 458 different types of apple grown in a single orchard. Thatchers 458 includes aromatic varieties such as Worcester Pearmain, Laxton’s Superb and Devonshire Quarrenden along with traditional varieties such as Somerset Redstreak and Porter’s Perfection. Some of the apples are rare varieties that have been preserved in the company’s Exhibition Orchard for future generations by Thatchers…

Workers at C&C Group’s Shepton Mallet cider plant are threatening industrial action after a row over pay. The union Unite is balloting 100 of its members that work at the Somerset plant, where Gaymers is produced. Unite said production staff face a fourth consecutive year of pay freezes – while office workers have enjoyed a 3% pay rise. It has given them until January 24…