Thatchers Cider unveils Cider Barn series

A new series of limited-edition ciders, under the brand Cider Barn, is being introduced by Somerset, UK cider producer Thatchers.

Using single variety, dual variety, and multiple blends, the new ciders will each have a story to tell about the apple varieties chosen.

Spartan, Morgan Sweet & Grenadier, and Redstreak are the first three Cider Barn ciders to be released following the 2016 harvest.

The first, Spartan at 5.2% ABV, has been a long-time favourite cider at Myrtle Farm and is welcomed back as a single variety cider. Pressed from Spartan, a  dessert apple, Thatchers cidermakers have created a medium dry, naturally pale cider.

Redstreak, 8.4% ABV, is the second single variety pressed following the 2016 harvest and also making a return after a few year’s break. The Somerset Redstreak apple is high in tannin. Embracing the cuvage technique, where the apples are milled and then held for a day before pressing out the juice, develops the best flavour for this cider.

The third cider has been crafted from two apple varieties from Thatchers Christon and Sandford orchards. Morgan Sweet & Grenadier, 7.4% ABV, combines the Morgan Sweet dessert apple with its wine-like sweetness and body with the refreshing bite of the acclaimed Grenadier culinary apple. The result is a delicate and refined cider, with a gentle hint of tropical fruit.

The Cider Barn ciders will be available in Thatchers Cider Shop, online at www.thatcherscider.co.uk, The Railway Inn in Sandford, as well as Thatchers direct delivered pubs.

Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cidermaker says: “Being able to produce batch ciders with some of our favourite apple varieties of each harvest is a real joy. Our cidermakers have taken this year’s harvest and used their knowledge of the fruit to work with a single variety, or combine two varieties together that balance and complement each other.

“This year we have revived two single variety ciders, Redstreak and Spartan, and in a dual variety we have combined Morgan Sweet & Grenadier – the characteristics of the dessert apple providing a foil to the high acidity of the culinary apple. Morgan Sweet is an apple with a great history in our family - my grandfather and great grandfather used to grow it in the early 1900s and send across by train to the South Wales Valleys.”

Each of the Cider Barn ciders has an RRP of £2.00 for 500ml.

14 December 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant