When is 'British cider' not British at all?

Right, I am going to get this off my chest now...

I HATE KEYBOARD WARRIORS!

Yes you know the ones, the idiots that put a snarky comment on something you have said either on Facebook, Twitter or a million and one online forums. And I had one try to attack me on Monday.

You see I dared to post a link on my Twitter feed to a page from 'The Grocer' magazine which has a bit of a go at Molson Coors for portraying Carling cider as 'British'.

If you want to read it click the link http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/drinks/carling-defends-british-cider-branding/342755.article

As I said earlier I posted the link and then got this shitty reply ( you will need to read from bottom to top): -

1. 1. Felix ‏@FelixWaters22 Jul

      @hewhocookseats shut up an get a real job you mug!

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   2. Daniel ‏@hewhocookseats22 Jul

      @FelixWaters ah, the first keyboard warrior of the day. If you want to drink fermented Chinese apple juice (as that is what it is) go ahead.

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      5:38 PM - 22 Jul 13 · Details
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2. 1. Daniel ‏@hewhocookseats22 Jul

      More info on Carling 'British' cider rip-off here http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/drinks/carling-defends-british-cider-branding/342755.article …

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      5:31 PM - 22 Jul 13 · Details
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3. Daniel ‏@hewhocookseats22 Jul

   Hate the way that Carling are trying to pass off their cider as British. The only thing British about it is the fact that it is sold here!

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Now I am in now way trying to tell you what to drink (and nor would I). But it just goes to show what a f'ing huge marketing campaign can do in order to get people to drink said product.

   
   

   The fact is that Molson Coors refuse to deny the rumour that their 'British' cider contains less than 10% British apples.

   
   

   So where does the rest come from? That would be China! I would suspect that the ingredients list would go like below:

   
   

   white sugar, synthetic apple flavouring, water, wine yeast and a bit of real apple juice

   
   

   This finished product is certainly no cheaper than cider made with apples from here but is enabled for much much higher profit margins.

   
   

   This afternoon I bought a bottle of Thatchers 'Katy' cider. Now this comes in at a higher alcoholic content at 7.4% and is a single variety cider from Somerset.

   
   

   Carling cider on the other hand is 4.5% (so less money to the taxman) and was £1.99 a bottle.

   
   

   Perhaps it is our palettes that are becoming less refined. Or it may be that I am simply not their target market. 

   
   

   One thing I do know is this. The reason it is served over ice is not to make it taste better, but to mask the 'flavour' of products such as Carling & Magners. I have had some so-called 'ciders' without ice and they taste bloody horrible!

   
   

   So where am I going with this? Well here it is (yes the point!)

   
   

   Try something different every now and then. I know if you are out in a pub you can be fairly restricted but decent cider is out there when you are out. Stowford Press is made by Westons and if you are in a Wetherspoons, they also have a decent bottled selection.

   
   

   If you are in the supermarket, don't just look for the stuff that is on offer. Go out of your comfort zone. But some stuff from the following: -

   
   

   Thatchers 

   Sheppys

   Westons

   Aspall

   & Sheppys

   
   

   I am sure you wont be dissapointed. As for me, well I am off to open my bottle of Thatchers Katy!

   
   

   Dan