It's widely known as the national drink of the West Country 'nation', but for the first time since records began to be kept, a specific brand of cider has become the best-selling draught pint sold in pubs and bars in the South West of England.
An incredible 15.2 million pints of Thatchers Gold, made in Sandford just outside of Bristol, were poured in the pubs and bars of the West Country during 2022, and it's the first time that the single most-bought brand of alcoholic drink wasn't a lager, a beer or an ale.
The fizzy golden apple drink has been around for around 20 years and is so beloved by fans of Bristol City that supporters sing a song about the drink, to the tune of Gold by Spandau Ballet.
Read next: Thatchers Blood Orange is Britain's 'best-selling new alcoholic drink'
A spokesperson for Thatchers, where they are celebrating the new accolade, said they have a double reason to celebrate - the newer drink Thatchers Haze has been named in the top 10 alcoholic pints poured in pubs, at number eight.
Thatchers relegated the Burton-brewed lager Carling - which is number one in the rest of the country - to the region's number two, and it is the first time any brand of cider has been top of the 'CGA OPMS All records Value and Volume' charts - the pub equivalent of the Top 40 music charts.
"Whilst many might find it surprising that cider wasn’t already the number one choice given the well-known cider loving nature of the West Country, analyst CGA has revealed that until now, no cider has ever sold enough to overtake a beer or lager into the number one position in any region in the UK. Now Thatchers Gold can take the accolade for the first time, here in the South West," said a Thatchers spokesperson.
"Thatchers Gold has overtaken all draught beer and draught lagers to become the best-selling pint across the South West," she added. There are 4.8 million people over the age of 18 living in the South West, according to the ONS census figures from 2021, and the statistics suggest that means every person old enough to drink in a pub consumes an average of at least three pints of Thatchers Gold every year. For each person in the West Country who hasn't touched a drop of Gold in 2022, someone else has drunk another three pints.
Martin Thatcher, the fourth generation cider-maker at Myrtle Farm in Sandford, put the success down to consistency - the drink has never changed since it was introduced, and was immediately popular. It's now being sold across the world.
“Drinkers across the globe love Thatchers Gold – but there’s absolutely no doubt that here in the West Country it’s extra special! One in every two pints of apple cider poured in the West Country is a Gold.”
Thatchers Gold was first produced at Myrtle Farm some twenty years ago, and since then has seen consistent growth not just in the South West but across the UK, sold on draught in pubs and bars, as well as glass bottles and cans with high street retailers. In fact, it's said to have grown more than any other apple cider over the last three years, helping Thatchers become the UK’s second largest cider maker.
“Its appeal starts right here at Myrtle Farm where we craft Gold with the very best tasting apples," added Mr Thatcher. "We have a saying that the best cider starts in the orchard, and that’s exactly the case with Gold.
“The recipe hasn’t changed at all over the years – when we first produced Gold we knew that we had struck on the perfect balance of fruitiness, tannin, sweetness and acidity. So our cider makers continue to make Gold in the same way as we did 20 years ago, and with a brilliant team effort from everyone at Myrtle Farm, we continue to reach new audiences who love a beautifully refreshing pint," he added.
Read next:
- There's more to Sandford than Hot Fuzz or even cold fizz
- Thatchers have released a zero-alcohol cider
- Joyous scenes in Bristol as Thatchers unveil Gold in a keg
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