Ascension Cider - New Canned Cider Takes Off
Sussex based cider maker, Ascension Cider, has responded to the closure of pubs and restaurants, its usual customer base, by introducing a new range of cans. The first production run of over 7,000 cans in four different flavours, sold out within a week!
Ascension Cider, based on an orchard on the Kent / Sussex border and with offices at Polegate near Eastbourne, has successfully grown sales since they started cider making three years ago. Not only do they supply pubs and other trade outlets locally, they also successfully ship cider to other parts of the country, working with wholesale partners. However, the recent Coronavirus and the resulting lockdown meant sales reduced dramatically, almost to zero, with only a few outlets that are offering takeaways and collections still purchasing.
The company responded by immediately developing a new range of cans, initially offering four blends, Pilot, their best selling apple cider, Purple Haze, a blackcurrant lemonade cider, Shimmy, a pineapple and lemon wild cider, plus a new cranberry sour cider, called Into The Jetstream.
Having launched these on a Monday to the trade and opened a new web shop on the Wednesday, the first production run had sold out by the Friday! Working over the bank holiday weekend, another 12,000 cans were produced to replenish supplies.
Ascension has taken their already very popular still ciders and lightly carbonated them in the new cans. Attractive labels, featuring a hot air balloon, a passion of the family behind the product and the inspiration for the company’s strapline, Cider with Altitude, features prominently on the smart eye-catching can design.
Matt Billing and his Dad, Martyn, founded the business just three years ago. Matt makes the cider using principally eating apples often rejected by the supermarkets because of their shape and size, rather than the more bitter cider apples, Ascension Ciders are made from only the juice of fresh apples (no concentrate, water or sugar) and are naturally fermented. All Ascension ciders are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Ascension Cider are looking for new retail and trade customers to stock the new can range whilst also encouraging direct sales from their website at www.ascensioncider.co.uk. Further details about the products and the company can also be found there whilst potential stockists can call them on 01323 344777.
