Henney’s, the producer of the Frome Valley cider brand, plans to launch a new cider into the off-trade and double its annual production following its win at the Tesco Brewing Awards.
Henney’s won the Best Cider Award for a sweet variety of its Frome Valley cider, created for the Tesco Brewing Awards, which took place this week.
It is now planning to sell the variety in the off-trade
Mike Henney, MD of Henney’s, said: “I see the award as recognition of excellence and am looking forward to working with Tesco to turn this into a commercial success.”
The company already has national listings for its Frome Valley Dry cider at Tesco, as well as its Medium variety in Asda
and Booth’s stores. “My plan is to double production this year. The rate of sales growth of Frome Valley recently has encouraged this and the award has given me further confidence,” said Henney. Mark Murphy, beers, wine and spirits category director for Tesco, praised the National Association of Cider Makers, whose help in creating the Best Cider category for the first time this year, he said, was “absolutely invaluable”. Murphy confirmed that cider would now feature in all future Brewing Awards.
Other awards included the Best Innovation Award, won by Hambleton Ales for its Gluten Free Beer, and the Best Import title, which was awarded to Brasserie du Bocq.
The Best Beer category was divided into small and large brewer awards.
The Spring/Summer Small Brewer title was awarded to Ridgeway Brewing, while the Large Brewer Award for this season went to Hall & Woodhouse, the producer of Badger Ales.
The Autumn/Winter Small Brewer title went to Broughton Ales, while the Large Brewer title was awarded to Young’s.
Sonya Hook