Thatchers Cider
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| Location | Sandford, Somerset, England |
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| Opened | 1904 |
| Owned by | Independent |
| Website | thatcherscider.co.uk |
Thatchers Cider is a cider maker based in Sandford, in North Somerset, England.
The company started producing cider in 1904 and has continued in the same family since. They use several varieties of apples to make different brands.
The founder, William Thatcher, first started making cider for his own farm workers in 1904. His son Stanley Thatcher, born in 1910, began selling draught cider to pubs in Somerset and the company’s presence in the area grew. The company is still family owned and employs around 200 people. In 1992 Martin took over from his father, John Thatcher, as managing director of Thatchers and he remains in charge today.
It has 500 acres of its own orchard in Somerset, as well as using apples from other growers in the area. Alongside its bush orchards, Thatchers has pioneered a method of growing its apple trees in a hedgerow style. Trained on wires, this enables easier harvesting and also helps to ensure the fruit has the optimum combination of sunlight and rain. It has also led to the development of a new bespoke harvester. At the height of season, Thatchers can press 500 tons of apples per day. Thatchers also maintains a special exhibition orchard in which over 458 different varieties of apple tree are grown. Many of the traditional ciders produced at Myrtle Farm are matured in 100-year-old oak vats, which gives the cider a distinctive taste.
There are several brands of Thatchers cider. These are categorised by the brewers as:
Thatchers Cider can be enjoyed across many sports clubs and events across the South West. They are involved with teams including Bath Rugby, Somerset County Cricket Club, Bristol Rugby, Bristol City FC, Yeovil Town, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Bristol Rovers FC, Plymouth Argyle FC, and Exeter City.
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