SOMERSET START UP, MAIDEN MILL, BURSTS ONTO DRINKS SCENE WITH LAUNCH OF TWO NEW GENERATION, ALCOHOL-FREE CIDERS

Somerset-based Maiden Mill is the world’s first brand dedicated to producing alcohol-free cider and has unveiled two original presses to offer quality and choice within the category.

Somerset-based Maiden Mill is the world’s first brand dedicated to producing alcohol-free cider and has unveiled two original presses to offer quality and choice within the category.

Using traditional cider pressing methods in the heart of Somerset, Maiden Mill has recreated the full-bodied flavour of fullstrength ciders in two 0.5%ABV options. Maiden Mill Voyage is a golden medium cider with sweet green apple notes that refresh the taste buds whilst Maiden Mill Flyer is a crisp cloudy medium dry cider, with a smooth and satisfying sweet taste.

Ed Reed, co-founder of Maiden Mill commented “The mindful drinking movement is going from strength to strength and over a quarter (29%) of UK drinkers say that they are ‘semi-regular’ drinkers of low and no alcohol products.

At Maiden Mill, our vision is to focus resource exclusively on production of exceptional, refreshing ciders with full body and satisfying taste but which, at 0.5%ABV, enable non-drinkers to enjoy the unmistakeable aroma and flavours of an authentic Somerset cider. Voyage and Flyer will form the core range of Maiden Mill with specials produced throughout the year to appeal to a wide range of cider drinkers and ensure that everyone can enjoy the refreshing, flavoursome taste of Somerset apples they crave.”

Maiden Mill takes its name from the pioneers who achieved momentous firsts – the maiden voyages and flights - and has now created a maiden range of alcohol-free craft ciders. “Maiden Mill Voyage is named in honour of the trailblazers and their maiden voyages” added Ed Reed. “Like the 102 settlers who boarded the Mayflower in Plymouth in 1620 for their maiden voyage to America, with 30 million Americans able to trace their ancestry back to those 102 pioneers.

Similarly, Maiden Mill Flyer pays homage to all of the maiden flights in the world, from the Wright brothers who designed, built and flew the first successful airplane and Amelia Earhart who was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic. With a bottle of our own trailblazer Maiden Mill Voyage or Flyer in hand, we raise a toast to the creation of those memorable and historically significant achievements.”

Tasting the Maiden Mill ciders Jane Peyton, founder of the School of Booze and the UK’s first Cider Pommelier commented “Until now I have been disappointed with the Low/No ciders I’ve tried but I’m not with this one. Both Maiden Mill ciders are very moreishfruity, tangy with pleasing acidity, soft tannins, with ripe green apple flavour, and both have body.”

Maiden Mill Voyage and Flyer are available in 330ml glass bottle, are gluten & vegan free and the 0.5%ABV ciders are only 25Kcal per 100ml. The brand is minimising its carbon footprint with ingredients and packaging sourced in Somerset, with the whole process from growing the apples to warehousing taking place within a 25 mile radius. The first two Maiden Mill ciders have been launched through Wise Bartender and Club Soda.