Brothers Cider

Brothers Cider
Product typeApple and pear cider
Produced byShowering Brothers
CountryShepton Mallet, England 51°11′29″N 2°33′04″W / 51.19139°N 2.55111°W / 51.19139; -2.55111
Introduced1992; 32 years ago (1992)
MarketsInternational
Websitewww.brotherscider.co.uk

Brothers Cider is a brand of fruit cider originating in Somerset in South West England. Originally available at music festivals, it is now sold in pubs, bars, and stores across the United Kingdom and internationally in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and China.

History

The Brothers Bar at Glastonbury 2008

Brothers Drinks Co. Limited was started in 1992 by four Showering brothers, whose parents were involved with the production of Babycham from the 1950s.[1] It is based in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Brothers' Cider is fermented and bottled at the Showerings Cider Mill and on the former site of the Anglo-Bavarian Brewery, which has been claimed as the first lager brewery in the United Kingdom,[2] although the claim is disputed.

In 1995, Michael Eavis offered the Brothers space for a bar at the Glastonbury Festival,[3] near the Jazz World Stage, but with sales restricted to perry-based drinks. When the offer of "perry" was met with little understanding the Brothers would describe it as "like cider but made from pears" and after repeating this tens of thousands of times the shorthand "pear cider" was introduced and understood.[4] Ten years later, in 2005, Brothers was packaged and launched into pubs and the retail trade.[5]

In 2007, Brothers began bottling soft drinks for Fever-Tree. 50% of Brothers' capacity is accounted for by Fever-Tree. Brothers became a minority shareholder in Fever-Tree in 2013.[6]

In 2009, Brothers Cider won a Cool Brand award at The Drum Marketing Awards.[7]

In 2013 a new range of packaging was launched,[8] for the company with a turnover of £46 million per annum.[9]

In 2016, the Showering Brothers bought the Shepton Mallett Cider Mill from C&C Group plc but not the brands, returning ownership to the family that had founded it. Matthew Showering said "Our grandfather built the factory and so it's be great to get back there. We used to go there as children and it came out of the family business when it was sold to Allied Breweries in the late 60s so it's great to reconnect with the place."[10]

In 2021, the Showering Brothers acquired the famous brand most associated with their cider mill when they bought Babycham.[11]

On 15 February 2024, Brothers announced that they were re-launching with 4 new flavours. They are App-Solutely Pear-fect, Un-Berrylievable, Best of the Zest and Berry Sub-Lime. They will be available in 500ml cans, 330ml sleek can or 6x330ml sleek can multipacks. These 4 flavours will replace all current offerings, bringing an end to glass bottles and sweet Brothers flavours.[12]

Flavours

Flavour Launched Notes
Cherry Bakewell 11 March 2022 [13]
Cloudy Lemon Re-launched in 2021 [14] One of the original flavours, unsure when it was discontinued before re-launch in 2021.
Honeycomb 21 March 2021 [15]
Marshmallow 1 April 2020 [16]
Parma Violet 29 March 2019 [17]
Pink Grapefruit 14 March 2021 [18]
Rhubarb & Custard Relaunched 2017 [19]
Strawberries & Cream 29 March 2019 [20]
Strawberry & Lime
Toffee Apple
Toffee Apple (Alcohol Free) 5 May 2021 [21] First Alcohol Free cider from Brothers
Wild Fruit
Tutti Frutti Only available in 330ml bottles
Raspberry Ripple 6 March 2023 [22]
Coconut & Lime Currently discontinued. Was a limited edition flavour in 2015
Strawberry & Kiwi Currently discontinued. Was a limited edition flavour in 2015

References

  1. ^ "Cider company's band of brothers". Wells Journal. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  2. ^ "First lager brewhouse 'at risk': Britain's first lager brewery has been added to English Heritage's endangered properties list.", BBC News, June 30, 2004. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
  3. ^ "Brothers". Trafalgar Foods. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Pear perception". Morning Advertiser. 24 April 2008. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Roll out the barrel, summer's here". Telegraph. 22 June 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Fever-Tree Admission Document" (PDF). fever-tree.com. 4 November 2014. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Cider brand gets coolness award". Exeter Express and Echo. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  8. ^ Charles, Gemma. "Brothers Cider unveils premium packaging". Marketing magazine. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  9. ^ Robinson, Clemmie. "Brothers cider gets a new look". University Business. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  10. ^ https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2016-10-20/shepton-mallet-cider-production-secured-as-former-owners-step-in-to-save-historic-mill [bare URL]
  11. ^ "Brothers Drinks acquire sparkling perry brand". 9 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Brothers makes splash with major relaunch". 15 February 2024.
  13. ^ "New Cherry Bakewell Cider". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Cloudy Lemon Is Back!". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  15. ^ "New Honeycomb Fruit Cider". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  16. ^ "It Tastes Marshvellous!". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Welcoming a New Addition to the Family!". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  18. ^ "New Pink Grapefruit Fruit Cider". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Summer Just Got Sweeter". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Say Hello to Strawberries & Cream!". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Introducing Brand new Alcohol Free Toffee Apple Cider". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  22. ^ "New Brothers Raspberry Ripple Cider". brotherscider.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.