Blackthorn Cider is a cider produced by Gaymer Cider Company, a subsidiary of C&C Group. Previously it was known as Blackthorn Dry or Dry Blackthorn. It is sold in a variety of forms, commonly being served draught in pubs or being sold in 440 ml (15 imp fl oz; 15 US fl oz) 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 Gaymer Cider Company 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.
In March 2009, Blackthorn was reformulated. It was not well received by many consumers in its heartland in the south west of England, who defaced The 'Black is Back' advertising campaign, alerted the press to their cause and organised Facebook protests.[2][3] In March 2010, however, Gaymers announced that after the consumer backlash in the south west, the 'original' Dry Blackthorn recipe would be re-introduced in the region.[4]