DISTRIBUTOR Morgenrot and drinks firm Blue Fruits are hoping to create a buzz with a new craft cider.
Planetbee cider was created by cider maker Tom Oliver using organic English cider apples which are fermented with wild yeasts and aged in barrels.
This process is said to provide “a crisp, bitter sweet apple, honey and blossom complexity”.
Earlier this year, Blue Fruits and Morgenrot introduced Planetbee’s South African Chenin Blanc into Mitchells & Butlers bars.
The drinks firms say the cider launch is the first time a wine brand has been extended into another drinks category.
A percentage of the money from the cider sales will be donated to a national fundraising campaign by Friends of the Honey Bee.
Money raised will help fund research to combat the deadly Varroa Mite which infests hives and destroys honey bee colonies.
John Critchley, commercial director at Morgenrot, said: “With apples relying on bees, a cider is a great vehicle to continue our mission to reverse the terrible and worrying plight of the industrious and life-giving honey bee.
“The support for the project has been fantastic but massive credit has to go to Tom Oliver at Oliver’s Cider & Perry and James Forbes at Blue Fruits for making such a quaffable tipple.”
