Caple Rd, the UK's first canned craft cider, has launched a second variant, Caple Rd Dry, Blend No 5.
The brand was created by Westons, which launched the first in the range, Blend No 3, a year ago. The new variant is slightly lighter in alcohol, now clocking in at 5% as opposed to 5.2%, and is double filtered. Not only that, but it receives up to 18 months of maturation.
Caple Rd Dry lives up to its name, with a much drier, lighter palate, with some very good acidity. There are plenty of bright, fresh green apple notes on both the nose and palate too.
The new cider 'has been designed to challenge cider-drinkers’ palates, in terms of both the liquid and the packaging,' says the range's cidermaker Guy Lawrence. 'Caple Rd Dry has a mid-straw colour and is double-filtered to give a crisp, dry and powerful finish. Both Caple Rd ciders are slowly fermented for up to 18 months, which is what gives the ciders their highly complex, full-bodied flavours.'
Westons commercial director Geoff Bradman added: 'When we launched Caple Rd Cider a year ago, we never anticipated quite how successful it would be. Both trade and consumer feedback has been phenomenal, and this has been formally recognised in the various awards the cider won in its first year of launch.'
The range, named after the road approaching Westons in Herefordshire, is aimed at premium on-trade. Check out the new Blend No 5 at Craft Beer Rising this weekend.
