Lyme Bay Winery launches canned sparkling mead

Lyme Bay Winery in Devon has launched a pair of canned sparkling meads in the UK on-trade with the aim of introducing younger consumers to the fermented honey drink.

Jack Ratt Cyser is a blend of sparkling mead and scrumpy cider, which, according to Lyme Bay, offers a “crisp, clean and refreshing” combination of apple and honey flavours.

Jack Ratt Sparkling Mead meanwhile, has “light notes of honey, a delicate fizz, and a mouth-watering finish.”

In addition to English wine, Lyme Bay specialises in mead, producing over half of the mead currently made in the UK, including premium private label products for the likes of English Heritage.

“People are increasingly looking for products that are authentic, high quality and with provenance, and they like to discover new drinks with a clear focus on flavour.

“Both the Cyser and the Sparkling Mead deliver this, and the new serve, in a 33cl can, offers convenience, preserves quality and gives a clear point of difference,” said Sara Walters, Lyme Bay’s national account manager.

“These new products appeal to younger consumers that are focused on discovery, interesting new flavours and, often, lower alcohol levels. These meads are just 4% ABV and offer a refreshing and flavoursome drink,” Walters added.

Helped by the popularity of Game of Thrones, sales of mead are on the rise in the UK. Lyme Bay has seen an 11% increase in volume sales in the last three years.

In America there are over 600 meaderies with many more in the pipeline.

Lyme Bay decided to use the can format to appeal to craft beer and premium cider drinkers. Based in Devon’s Axe Valley, in addition to mead, and still and sparkling wine, Lyme Bay produces a range of fruit wines, ciders, spirits and liqueurs.