Thatchers Cider

Updated on Dec 12, 2024

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Opened 1904 Founder William Thatcher Parent organization Thatchers Holdings Ltd		Owned by Independent Founded 1904

Location Sandford, Somerset, England Profiles Twitter

Thatchers cider a year in the life

Thatchers Cider is a cider maker based in Sandford, in North Somerset, England.

The company started producing cider in 1904 and has continued in the same family since. They use several varieties of apples to make different brands.

Thatchers cider apple day 2014

History

The founder, William Thatcher, first started making cider for his own farm workers in 1904. His son Stanley Thatcher, born in 1910, began selling draught cider to pubs in Somerset and the company’s presence in the area grew. The company is still family owned and employs around 200 people. In 1992 Martin took over from his father, John Thatcher, as managing director of Thatchers and he remains in charge today.

It has 500 acres of its own orchard in Somerset, as well as using apples from other growers in the area. Alongside its bush orchards, Thatchers has pioneered a method of growing its apple trees in a hedgerow style. Trained on wires, this enables easier harvesting and also helps to ensure the fruit has the optimum combination of sunlight and rain. It has also led to the development of a new bespoke harvester. At the height of season, Thatchers can press 500 tons of apples per day. Thatchers also maintains a special exhibition orchard in which over 458 different varieties of apple tree are grown. Many of the traditional ciders produced at Myrtle Farm are matured in 100-year-old oak vats, which gives the cider a distinctive taste.

Current brands

There are several brands of Thatchers cider. These are categorised by the brewers as:

Single Varietal Cider, where only one type of apple is used. Examples have included Katy, Somerset Redstreak, and Spartan, many of which are old Somerset varieties.

Dual Variety Ciders, where two types of apples are used. Examples have included Somerset Redstreak and Katy, Tremletts Falstaff and Morgan Sweet & Grenadier.

Core Range, including Thatchers Gold and Haze.

Premium, including Thatchers Vintage, made from the best apples from each harvest.

Character brands, including Old Rascal and Green Goblin.

Super Premium, Thatchers Family Reserve which is a light sparkling apple wine, made from the first gently pressed juice of the Katy apple.

Ciders available on draught include TRAD, which is a hazy cider, Cheddar Valley, which has a distinctive orange colour and Big Apple, which is a traditional cider, full of flavour.

Thatchers have recently launched a new brand, under the name of Cider Barn. These products showcase the artisan apple blending that takes places on Myrtle Farm. There are 3 variants to this range, Redstreak, Spartan and Morgan Sweet & Grenadier.

Thatchers have previously produced special variety ciders such as Thatchers 458, made from 458 different types of apples, grown in the exhibition orchard at Myrtle Farm.

Sponsorships

Thatchers Cider can be enjoyed across many sports clubs and events across the South West. They are involved with teams including Bath Rugby, Somerset County Cricket Club, Bristol Rugby, Bristol City FC, Yeovil Town, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Bristol Rovers FC, Plymouth Argyle FC, and Exeter City.

Thatchers are also involved in many local events and festivals including: Glastonbury Festival, GoldCoast OceanFest, Royal Bath and West Show, Bristol Balloon Fiesta and Cambridge Folk Festival.

Thatchers have now been the official cider sponsor of Glastonbury Festival for 3 years, starting their partnership in 2013. This event sees the two Somerset families coming together to put on the largest Greenfield festival in the world, held at Worthy Farm.

TV advertisements

Thatchers aired on national TV with Time Stops in 2015, with the concept of showcasing the 12:30 pm tasting that happens every Friday at Myrtle Farm.

References

Thatchers Cider Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA