What defines a Craft Cider (and why it tastes better)

Taste is the only real truth, and let's be honest, not all ciders taste the same. If you have cracked open a can of mainstream cider, it can sometimes be syrupy sweet and devoid of all remnants of its apple characteristics. This is not what craft cider is. 

So let's try and define what a real craft cider is. 

British Cider from British Apples

It is not very different from much of the other large food production systems, concentrated additives, less real ingredients and whatever keeps production cheap. Craft Cider on the other hand is using real apples as close to where they were grown and use much as fresh juice as possible. CAMRA defines real cider as a cider made from 90% fresh pressed apples. They also deem it not to be sparkling, which we think is a exceedingly difficult way to introduce new people to the wonderful taste of cider - so we add a sparkle. 

The UK law defines cider as a product that contains at least 35% apple or pear juice. We believe there is a balance between the CAMRA definition and the UK Law definition of cider that will appeal to as many people as possible. 

Does How Cider is made matters?

True craft cider follows the traditional fermentation methods. Pick the apples at the end of summer, early autumn, press them and allow them to ferment with wild yeasts or carefully selected yeasts. Then with much patience and care you will produce a fully dry cider. There are additional elements like malolactic fermentation and racking through the fermentation, and part of the skill and craft, and these create the natural flavour development. 

Sustainability is a key part

If where your food and drink comes from matters to you, and the fact that it supports a local economy like we do, real British Cider from a craft producer is the way to go. 

Red Fin have started to work with World Land Trust to offset their Scope 3 emmisions, and support the process of growing the apples on commercially viable land here in the UK, we think this makes choosing craft cider a win for the planet. 

In a world where some of your food miles can be as high as 1000 miles for a product on the shelf in your local supermarket, choosing a real British Cider that fits your definition of craft, can be a great choice for now and the future of our planet. 

So when you have the choice, choose Real British Craft Cider from a British producer. If you prefer the still version with more than 90% fresh pressed apples, or a lightly sparkling Cider that is also 90% Fresh Apples, give Red Fin a try.