Blackthorn Cider
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Blackthorn Cider is a processed commercial cider produced by Matthew Clark plc. Previously it was known as Blackthorn Dry or Dry Blackthorn, but dry has since been dropped from its name. It is sold in a variety of forms, commonly being served draught in pubs or being sold in 440ml cans or two-litre bottles in shops or supermarkets.
The cider is mass-produced using non-traditional methods, and so does not fit the definition of 'real cider' set by the Campaign for Real Ale [1]. Where traditional cider is made with whole pressed apples fermented by the wild yeasts present on the skins, Blackthorn contains apple concentrate, sugar and sweeteners and is fermented with a controlled yeast strain.
The cider is produced at the Taunton Cider site on the A37 in Shepton Mallet (Mendip District, Somerset, England). Matthew Clark plc, the UK division of Constellation Brands Inc., acquired Blackthorn when it bought Taunton Cider in 1995. The recipe was soon changed, making the taste sweeter and raising the alcohol content to bring the product more into line with the market leader Strongbow. Another, sweeter, variety was trialled in the UK in the early 90's, called Blackthorn Red, but was withdrawn a year later due to lack of interest.
