Thatchers

The business remains family-owned and independent, currently led by Martin Thatcher, the fourth generation of the family to make cider at Myrtle Farm. Some of the brand's full-strength ciders are matured in oak vats that date back 150 years, reflecting the depth of the site's production infrastructure. The broader portfolio spans traditional cloudy styles, fruit-flavoured variants, and a flagship full-strength cider, with the alcohol-free range sitting as a focused entry point into that wider offering.

The AF cider was built around bittersweet apple varieties with strong Somerset provenance, including Dabinett and Somerset Redstreak. The brand positioned it from the outset for designated drivers and drinkers moderating their alcohol intake, with the two-year development period reflecting an intent to match the flavour character of the existing range rather than produce a simplified substitute.

Distribution is broad, covering mainstream supermarkets and specialist alcohol-free retailers, giving Thatchers one of the more accessible footprints of any AF cider currently on the market. The brand sits in the mid-range price bracket.