Thistly Cross Cider, from Dunbar in East Lothian, has become the latest member of the burgeoning Craft Beer Clan of Scotland, joining 24 other craft brewers and distillers who have united under the clan’s banner.
The partnership sees Thistly Cross’s ciders, which have won a clutch of food and drink awards, made available for distribution to a growing network of bars, retailers, and wholesalers in countries such as China, Dubai, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Denmark, where the Craft Beer Clan has already signed a series of drink export deals. Talks are ongoing with importers in Thailand, Taiwan, Canada, Sweden, Philippines, Russia and Spain.
Peter Stuart of Thistly Cross said: “Knowing some of the great brands that Craft Beer Clan of Scotland already work with, we were delighted when the guys down there asked to work with us. Our cider fills the growing niche for a craft cider in the domestic and international markets and we felt that the Craft Beer Clan will help us spread the word about Thistly Cross.”
Thistly Cross, established in 2008, produces a core range of six, from traditional ciders to those made from elderflower and strawberry. A whisky barrel-aged version is also available.
Chris Miller, Export Director at the Craft Beer Clan of Scotland, said: “The Craft Beer Clan works hard to promote Scottish craft beer and spirits to drinkers in other countries, and it’s fantastic we can now offer cider as well, catering to a whole new market and building on Scotland’s reputation as a world-class producer of drink, whether that’s craft beer, craft spirits or in Thistly Cross’s case, craft cider.”
Craft Beer Clan of Scotland is the export trading arm of JW Filshill. It has a membership of 24 breweries, four craft distillers and now one craft cider-maker.
