Bulmers Cider is one of a number of brands owned by H. P. Bulmer of Hereford. It is one of the leading premium bottled cider brands in the UK with a number of variants including Bulmers Original & Pear.
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Using apples from the orchard at his father's rectory and an old stone press on the farm next door, Bulmer made the first cider, upon which the family fortune would be made. Today HP Bulmer makes 65% of the five hundred million litres of cider sold annually in the United Kingdom and the bulk of the UK's cider exports. [1]
During the spring of 2006, the company relaunched Bulmers Original in the UK, a premium packaged cider aimed at the "served over ice" market, which has grown in popularity over the last few years. Bulmers Original is a 4.5% ABV cider and is primarily sold in pint bottles (568 ml). In November 2007 the Bulmers range was joined by Bulmers Pear cider and in Spring 2008 by Bulmers Light, which is the same ABV as the Original but with 30% fewer calories however this was delisted a year later.
In Summer 2010, a limited edition version of Bulmers was made, combining both apple and pear flavours in one and named 'Summer Blend'.
In Autumn 2010, another limited edition version of Bulmers was created, made using specially selected red Katy Apples which are allowed to fully ripen in the orchards before harvesting, and named "Red Apple".[2]
The Bulmers Range currently consists of 4 variants. Bulmers Original, which is available in Pint Bottles, 440ml Cans, 1L Bottles & on Draught. Bulmers Pear which is available in Pint Bottles & 1L bottles.
In the Summer of 2011, Bulmer's released the limited edition "Crisp Blend" which is made from sharper tasting apples, delivering a crisp and slightly drier flavour than the Original. [3]. It is available in pint bottles only.
In the same summer, Bulmers rebranded themselves with a new look and new bottles. In reference to the Bulmers naming tradition dating back to the early 1900's (at the time these were Bulmers 1 through to 8) they also number-coded the different varieties with Original as "№9", Pear as "№10" and Crisp Blend as "№15". At the same time a new flavour was brought out, named "№17", which is made with the addition of crushed red berries and lime.