Brothers Cider
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox brand
| name = Brothers Cider
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| producttype = Apple and pear cider
| currentowner =
| producedby = Showering Brothers
| origin = Shepton Mallet, England {{coord|51|11|29|N|2|33|04|W |type:landmark_region:GB |display=title}}
| introduced = {{start date and age|1992}}
| discontinued =
| related =
| markets = International
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| website = {{URL|www.brotherscider.co.uk}}
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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
Brothers Drinks Co. Limited was started in 1992 by four Showering brothers, whose parents were involved with the production of Babycham from the 1950s.{{cite web|title=Cider company's band of brothers|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-33998375.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824010148/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-33998375.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 August 2017|publisher=Wells Journal|accessdate=23 August 2017}} 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,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/3852569.stm "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. although the claim is disputed.
In 1995, Michael Eavis offered the Brothers space for a bar at the Glastonbury Festival,{{cite web|title=Brothers|url=http://www.trafalgarfoods.co.uk/brothers|publisher=Trafalgar Foods|accessdate=2 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208161029/http://www.trafalgarfoods.co.uk/brothers|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|title=Pear perception|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Drinks-Brands-News/Pear-perception|accessdate=17 March 2013|newspaper=Morning Advertiser|date=24 April 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814004551/http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Drinks-Brands-News/Pear-perception|archivedate=14 August 2012}} Ten years later, in 2005, Brothers was packaged and launched into pubs and the retail trade.{{cite news|title=Roll out the barrel, summer's here|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2941590/Roll-out-the-barrel-summers-here.html|accessdate=17 March 2013|newspaper=Telegraph|date=22 June 2006}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://fevertree1.d3r-cdn.com/pdfs/original/608-595-233879-cinchona-cln.pdf |title=Fever-Tree Admission Document |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221100908/http://fevertree1.d3r-cdn.com/pdfs/original/608-595-233879-cinchona-cln.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 Dec 2016|date=4 November 2014 |website=fever-tree.com |page=13 }}
In 2009, Brothers Cider won a Cool Brand award at The Drum Marketing Awards.{{cite web|title=Cider brand gets coolness award|url=http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/Cider-brand-gets-coolness-award/story-11807355-detail/story.html#axzz2NoQp74rk|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505081139/http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/Cider-brand-gets-coolness-award/story-11807355-detail/story.html%23axzz2NoQp74rk|url-status=dead|publisher=Exeter Express and Echo|accessdate=17 March 2013|archive-date=2013-05-05}}
In 2013 a new range of packaging was launched,{{cite web|last=Charles|first=Gemma|title=Brothers Cider unveils premium packaging|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1172938/Brothers-Cider-unveils-premium-packaging/|publisher=Marketing magazine|accessdate=17 March 2013}} for the company with a turnover of £46 million per annum.{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Clemmie|title=Brothers cider gets a new look|url=http://www.universitybusiness.co.uk/?q=news/brothers-cider-gets-new-look/5665|publisher=University Business|accessdate=17 March 2013}}
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."{{Cite web |date=20 October 2016 |title=Shepton Mallet cider production secured as former owners step in to save historic mill |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2016-10-20/shepton-mallet-cider-production-secured-as-former-owners-step-in-to-save-historic-mill}}
In 2021, the Showering Brothers acquired the famous brand most associated with their cider mill when they bought Babycham.{{cite web | url=https://www.thecaterer.com/products/brothers-drinks-acquire-babycham | title=Brothers Drinks acquire sparkling perry brand | date=9 December 2021 }}
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.{{cite web | url=https://www.slrmag.co.uk/brothers-cider-relaunch/ | title=Brothers makes splash with major relaunch | date=15 February 2024 }}
Flavours
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! Flavour ! Launched ! Notes |
| Cherry Bakewell
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| Cloudy Lemon
| Re-launched in 2021 {{cite web |title=Cloudy Lemon Is Back! |website=brotherscider.co.uk |url=https://brotherscider.co.uk/blogs/blog/cloudy-lemon-is-back |access-date=22 February 2023}} | One of the original flavours, unsure when it was discontinued before re-launch in 2021. |
| Honeycomb
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| Marshmallow
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| Parma Violet
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| Pink Grapefruit
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| Rhubarb & Custard
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| Strawberries & Cream
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| Strawberry & Lime
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| Toffee Apple
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| Toffee Apple (Alcohol Free)
| First Alcohol Free cider from Brothers |
| Wild Fruit
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| Tutti Frutti
| | Only available in 330ml bottles |
| Raspberry Ripple
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| Coconut & Lime
| | Currently discontinued. Was a limited edition flavour in 2015 |
| Strawberry & Kiwi
| | Currently discontinued. Was a limited edition flavour in 2015 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.brotherscider.co.uk}}