Planetbee wine brand launches cider

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 08 September, 2014

Bee-friendly wine brand Planetbee has extended its reach into another drinks category, with the launch of its own cider.

Brand owner Blue Fruits, co-founded by former Stevens Garnier director James Forbes, has extended the brand from wine into cider - with Planetbee Cider launching in Oddbins.

Planetbee cider Planetbee launches a ciderThe brand, originally confined to the wine category, has branched out with its new cider offering.

This new craft cider, available in 33cl bottles, is made by renowned cider maker, Tom Oliver. Oliver selected organic English cider apples which are freshly pressed, fermented with wild yeasts, and aged in barrels. The brand, distributed by Morgenrot, is supporting the launch with in-store tastings and an awareness drive.

Planetbee is unique in that a percentage of sales are donated to the Friends of the Honey Bee national fundraising campaign, set up by the British Beekeepers Association.

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 from Oddbins and their managers 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."

The Planetbee brand was set up to help counter the declining bee population in the UK through quality drinks. After launching Planetbee Chenin Blanc in the Mitchell & Butler pub group in March, Planetbee Cider, which donates 25% of its profits to Friends of the Honey Bee, supplements a growing fund.

Money raised will help by funding research to combat the deadly Varroa Mite which infests hives and destroys honey bee colonies. It will also be invested in nationwide projects aimed at increasing the number of pollen and nectar-rich pollinating flowers, plants and trees that bees need to thrive and prosper.

Planetbee cider is priced at £2.50 for a 33cl bottle (abv 6%).

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