Heineken launches Strongbow Honey & Apple as cider drives US growth
Heineken says that hard apple cider remains an 'exciting growth opportunity' for it in the US, after it launched a Strongbow Honey & Apple variety in March.
Strongbow is the world's top-selling cider brand, and Heineken USA announced the launch of two 5.0 % ABV varieties in 11.2oz bottles this spring - Gold Apple Hard Cider and Honey & Apple Hard Cider.
"While many ciders tend to have an overly sweet taste profile, like the Fuji apple, or tart, like the Granny Smith variety, Strongbow offers something different," the brand said at the time.
Gold Apple aims to provide a balanced, crisp apple taste with the "sweet tart notes of the Golden Delicious apple, along with hints of Honeycrisp apple and pear," it added.
Discussing Heineken's 2014 results in the half year to June 30 yesterday, CEO Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer said Strongbow helped drive growth in its Americas region.
