S&N testing pear ciders

Related tags Perry Cider Pear

Scottish & Newcastle UK (S&N UK) has confirmed that it is testing two new pear ciders, with a view to launching them later this year.Rumours...

Scottish & Newcastle UK (S&N UK) has confirmed that it is testing two new pear ciders, with a view to launching them later this year.

Rumours are circulating the industry that the brewer is to import a pear cider from Finland, possibly from next month, as well as launching a pear version of Bulmers Original towards the end of the year.

However, a spokesman for S&N UK would only confirm that the company was testing new products.

"We have a couple of pear ciders on test and that is part of a much broader new product development programme," he said. "However, there is no commitment at this time to the development or launch of these products.

"We are more interested in consumer response right now."

There are several pear ciders that the company could potentially import from its Finnish operations, including Upcider, from the Hartwall Brewery.

Pear cider brands are quickly gaining popularity and listings across the on-trade.

Kopparberg from Sweden has already been listed in Punch Taverns, Regent Inns and Ultimate Leisure. And Brothers Pear Cider is also gaining some strong listings, particularly on the back of its close association with the Glastonbury Festival.

This news comes only a week after the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) reinforced the duty position of pear cider.

Previously there had been arguments as to whether all the new pear ciders on the market should be taxed as a cider - much of the arguments surrounded the traditional belief that real pear cider (or perry) can only be made using perry pears.

However, the new NACM code states that any product made using fermented pear juice may be classified as a pear cider and should be taxed as such.

This ruling may cause problems in terms of duty rates for makers of 'other' fruit ciders - their duty rate may well be in line with 'made wine', which is much higher.

Related topics Cider

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