Cider - an interesting discussion of the merits of the offering from FGW

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Market analysis shows that where two ciders are listed, overall cider sales has grown, so Bulmer^s will
be available alongside Strongbow, as appealing to a slightly different customer base.

But Strongbow is the only vaguely drinkable cider they produce under the Bulmers brand so what does this mean?

With so many other brands available from within the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) area why chose the worst.

What about Stowford Press, Thatchers ....

[devon_metro]

Market analysis shows that where two ciders are listed, overall cider sales has grown, so Bulmer^s will
be available alongside Strongbow, as appealing to a slightly different customer base.

But Strongbow is the only vaguely drinkable cider they produce under the Bulmers brand so what does this mean?

With so many other brands available from within the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) area why chose the worst.

What about Stowford Press, Thatchers ....

Indeed, whilst Strongbow (and Bulmers) are both from Herefordshire, so are 'technically' local ciders, they won't win any prizes amongst cider drinkers.

Presumably it came down to cost in the end. Strongbow is widely available at under ^1 per can whereas Thatchers is rarely less than that (obviously excluding discounts FGW would get for large orders).

[ChrisB]

But Strongbow is the only vaguely drinkable cider they produce under the Bulmers brand so what does this mean?

Strongbow doesn't call itself a cider because......it isn't.
More chemical than apple, methinks...

Never come across Bulmers Original?....Far, far nicer

[JayMac]

Strongbow doesn't call itself a cider because......it isn't.
More chemical than apple, methinks...

Strongbow is a cider. It's referred to as a cider by Bulmers in their marketing. And to do that it has to meet legally required conditions to be referred to as cider. Typically the only 'chemicals' that are added are as preservatives. Far, far less than the apple juice content.

It is fermented apple juice (from a mix of bittersweet cider apples and culinary apples), water, glucose syrup, lactic acid (preservative), citric acid (acidity regulator) and potassium sulphate (preservative).

For a drink to be defined as cider it has to contain a minimum of 35% apple juice. Even mass produced ciders such as Strongbow typically contain more than this. That said, the mass produced ciders do derive a lot of their alcohol content from the fermentation of the added sugars (glucose syrup typically) rather than the fermented apple juice.

None though are 'more chemical than apple'. For that to be true the added preservatives and acidity regulator would have to total more than 35%.

Bulmers Original will have similar ingredients. What typically differentiates one mass produced cider from another is the apples (or blend of apples) used and the percentage of apple juice. They will all contain preservatives, additional sugars and water.

[ChrisB]

Strongbow doesn't call itself a cider because......it isn't.
More chemical than apple, methinks...

Strongbow is a cider. It's referred to as a cider by Bulmers in their marketing.

Hmmm - evidence?
Like Woodpecker, nowhere on the can does the word 'cider' appear.

[devon_metro]

Strongbow doesn't call itself a cider because......it isn't.
More chemical than apple, methinks...

Strongbow is a cider. It's referred to as a cider by Bulmers in their marketing.

Hmmm - evidence?
Like Woodpecker, nowhere on the can does the word 'cider' appear.

FRom the Strongbow website.

The cider is made from a blend of bitter-sweet cider and culinary apples making it a well rounded, balanced cider with a good mix of fresh apples and cidery flavours.

http://www.strongbow.com/about.html

[ChrisB]

hmmm - wonder why they don't mention 'apples' or 'cider' on the can/bottle?

[Network SouthEast]

hmmm - wonder why they don't mention 'apples' or 'cider' on the can/bottle?

Maybe because it is obvious what it is?

I don't remember a bar of Galaxy having the word chocolate on the front of the packet for example. That doesn't mean it isn't a bar of chocolate though.

[ChrisB]

but it does have a pic of chocolate....?

[Chris from Nailsea]

hmmm - wonder why they don't mention 'apples' or 'cider' on the can/bottle?

They do: see http://www.drubc.com/assets/Uploads/strongbowside1large.jpg 

[Red Squirrel]

hmmm - wonder why they don't mention 'apples' or 'cider' on the can/bottle?

They do: see http://www.drubc.com/assets/Uploads/strongbowside1large.jpg 

Ye Gods and Little Fishes - it's got sweetener in it! A little Googling suggests that may be aspartame. Apparently Bulmers won't confirm this - who could blame them?

Given that, I'd say it was an exaggeration to call it cider - FWIW^▸ (for what it's worth).

[ChrisB]

And other chemicals they won't admit to too.....Google is your chum if you so wish

[JayMac]

And other chemicals they won't admit to too.....Google is your chum if you so wish

You could be helpful and enlighten us with the links. Always handy when taking a contrary point of view. Prove your point that Strongbow is 'more chemical than apple'.

[ChrisB]

That *was* an exageration - but of course H2O is the main constituent....which of course is a chemical - as is the make up of everything on the planet?....

There was a time not so long ago when there was no mention of cider or apple on the can.

[Red Squirrel]

This site http://www.real-cider.co.uk/ciders-not-recognised-as-being-real/ is possibly a useful addition to the debate.

Makes me wonder if you could get away with calling a mixture of green ink, industrial ethanol and pentyl pentanoate 'cider'...