Wychwood launches new cider brand

February 17, 2007: Wychwood Brewery, the home of Hobgoblin beer, is launching Green Goblin, a 6% oak-aged cider, onto the UK market.

The result of a partnership between Wychwood and Thatchers Cider, it will be available from the beginning of March in a striking new 500ml bottle design. It has already achieved a wide range of off- and on-trade listings including Waitrose, Sainsburys, Punch Taverns and WaverleyTBS.

v

Wychwood managing director Rupert Thompson said: "The cider category has been re-invigorated by high-profile launches backed by substantial media expenditure and some excellent promotions. It has caused a fantastic buzz and dispelled some of the old-fashioned and downmarket images from which cider used to suffer.

"This has created a big opportunity at the premium and speciality end of the category, especially for ciders combining real flavour with a marketing point of difference. Oak-aged Green Goblin is a cider with attitude — fruity and highly drinkable, but with real depth.

“We believe that the bottle’s Hobgoblin-inspired labelling will introduce cider to a new segment of drinkers, many of whom are already enthusiasts for Wychwood’s characterful family of beers. We have really enjoyed working with Thatchers to bring Green Goblin to market and the response from buyers has been excellent.”

This full-flavoured, bittersweet cider has been made exclusively from English cider apples, particularly Somerset Redstreak and Dabinett varieties sourced from West Country orchards. Matured in hundred-year-old oak vats, Green Goblin combines the richness of the oak with the refreshing crispness of the high quality fruit. It has then been cold-filtered to capture the fresh, distinctive character of this classic full-bodied cider with its rich fruit and finely balanced tannins. It comes in six-bottle packs to encourage trial in pubs.