Mac Ivors Launches New Alcohol-free And Low Calorie Cider
Mac Ivors, the multi-award winning cider producer, has launched a refreshing new product for health conscious consumers.
The company, based at Portadown, has just introduced an alcohol-free cider that’s also gluten-free, low in calories and vegan-friendly. With only 76 calories per bottle, this novel drink has been created by experienced cider maker Greg MacNeice, who is also the company’s managing director, to offer a range of benefits for those concerned about health while still maintaining an authentic and delicious cider taste.
The introduction of the new medium dry cider coincides with a new distribution agreement in the Republic of Ireland between Mac Ivors, which has collected a host of cider industry awards as well as UK Great Taste Awards, andNoreast in Dundalk, a major supplier of premium drinks to hotels and bars throughout the Republic of Ireland.
“Our new alcohol-free and other established ciders are now being distributed throughout the Republic of Ireland by Noreast as well as by Drinks Inc. in Northern Ireland,” says Mr MacNeice.
“We’re are also currently exploring opportunities in Canada, Britain and other parts of Europe for the new cider. The alcohol-free cider will be available in 330ml bottles in off trade at RRP €1.79 in ROI and RRP £1.50 in N. Ireland.
“We are very pleased with the new cider which has alsoproduced exremeley positive feedback in taste tests. Our aim has been to produce a genuine cider rather than a drink that tastes like apple juice and we’ve succeeded. The new product is a response to the growing market for a ‘healthier’ product especially among those concerned about weight and overall fitness. It’s also a delicious and safer option for drivers especially the designated driver on a night out,” he adds.
In addition, the new cider features labelling which lists all the ingredients and nutritional facts and reflects the company’s strategic focus on transparency and integrity.
Mr MacNeice says the company, based on the family’s apple orchards in Co Armagh, had signed the distribution deal with Noreast as part of a strategy to drive growth in sales of its entire range in the Republic, its most important market beyond Northern Ireland.
“We decided in late 2019 that the time was right to step up our approach in the Republic. We’ve known the team at Noreast for a number of years and their experienced sales team will work closely with our dynamic Brand Ambassador, Sarah Mc Nally to bring Mac Ivors Cider to a range of on and off-trade outlets.
“Noreast is an ideal fit for us because of its very strong reputation in the Republic, its network of premium customers, and its portfolio of leading beer and spiritsbrands. We are Noreast’s only Irish cider brand and they will be able to focus on developing sales across our range of quality products,” continues Mr MacNeice.
Mac Ivors is also selling its ciders to Germany, France, Russiaand Scandinavia as well as Great Britain. The ciders are made from 100 per cent fresh pressed apples and have been developed to provide a richly flavoured, refreshing and aromatic craft beverage.
The ciders are cold-pressed and slow fermented over eight months to ensure the outstanding flavour that customers are coming to appreciate. They do not contain any concentrates, artificial flavourings or colourings and up to 14 different varieties of apples, including Armagh Bramleys, are used in the process.
