Aspall

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Aspall is an English cider and vinegar producer based in Debenham , Suffolk , just under 150 km northeast of London . The company was named after the country house of the same name. Aspall can look back on almost 300 years of company history: Clement Chevallier began producing cider in Aspall in 1725, and 1728 is the official founding date of the company ("Est. 1728"). At the beginning of 2018, the family business was acquired by the US beverage company Molson Coorsaccepted. Aspall enjoys a high reputation among cider connoisseurs, the company has received numerous awards, including the title “World's best Cider 2008”, awarded by Beers of the World Magazine .

Family history

Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener and 1st Baron of Aspall

The first documents in which the Chevalliers are mentioned by name date from the 12th century. According to the company, the family can be traced back to Rollo , the first Duke of Normandy , and thus also to William the Conqueror . The family acquired the name Chevallier, which means mounted warrior, during the time of the Crusades . The scimitar in the family coat of arms has its origins in that era. Before the family moved to Aspall Hall, the family seat was on the Channel Island of Jersey for a good 300 years .

Selection of family members:

  1. Temple Chevallier-Stowe (1674–1722): acquired Aspall Hall from the Brooke family in 1702 , along with 300 acres of land. Since he did not leave any direct descendants, the inheritance went to his cousin Clement Chevallier.
  2. Clement Chevallier (1697–1762): originally from Saint Helier , Jersey , founded Aspall Cider in 1728. In the years that followed, Clement Chevallier had apple trees imported from Jersey on a larger scale in Aspall.
  3. Rev. John Chevallier (1774-1846): married first to Lady Caroline Hepburn of Wisbech (1776-1815), second to Emily Blomfield Syer, third to Elizabeth Cole of Bury St Edmunds. From this last marriage came Frances Anne, the mother of Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener and Baron of Aspall.
  4. Temple Chevallier (1794–1873): Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the University of Durham . He was instrumental in promoting the establishment of an observatory there . A crater on the moon was named after him, the " Chevallier ".
  5. Lady Caroline Ellen Alice Chevallier-Boutell (1843–1882): grandmother of Cameron Cobbold, 1st Baron Cobbold . Cobbold was Governor of the Bank of England from 1949 to 1961 and served as Lord Chamberlain from 1963 to 1971 .

Company owner since 1900

  1. John Barrington ("JB") Chevallier (1857–1940): a cousin of Herbert Kitchener, exported Aspall cider to India and introduced the spelling "Cyder".
  2. Perronelle Guild (Née Chevallier) (1902–2004): daughter of John Barrington, headed the company for over 40 years, including during the Second World War. Was a founding member of the British Soil Association in 1946. Among other things, the Soil Association is committed to the production of organic food from organic farming.
  3. John Chevallier (born 1933): in addition to cider, had apple juice and apple vinegar (English "cider vinegar") produced commercially for the first time. Handed over the company to his sons in 1993:
  4. Barry (born 1967) and Henry (born 1968) Chevallier Guild. Under her leadership, the company was taken over by Molson Coors in 2018 .

production

Aspall Cyder is not made from a single apple variety , but from a blend of several varieties. Both table apples (rather sweet) and cider apples (acidic, bitter) are used. The cider is also carbonated and a little sugar added.

export

Aspall Cyder is distributed throughout the UK and exported to the United States , Russia , Japan , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , Austria and Germany .

Product range

Cider (assortment & awards in selection):

  • Dry Premier Cru: World's Best Cider 2008, Best Cider of the Quality Drink Awards 2011
  • Crisp Draft: Winner of the 2006 Quality Drinks Award
  • Classic Organic: Gold medal winner of the International Cider Challenge 2011
  • Perronelle's Blush
  • Vintage Imperial
  • Harry Sparrow

Vinegar (in selection):

  • Aspall Cyder Vinegar
  • Organic Cyder Vinegar
  • Apple Balsamic Vinegar
  • Apple & Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar
  • Golden Malt Vinegar

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Cider and more, Aspall Cyder
  2. ↑ aspall.co.uk, company homepage
  3. ^ Brewing giant 'to invest' in Aspall site . In: BBC News . ( bbc.com [accessed January 8, 2018]).
  4. ↑ NACM: National Association of Cider Makers ( Memento of 6 January 2013, Internet Archive )
  5. ↑ EADT Suffolk Magazine, November 2008
  6. ↑ Aspall: A royal connection ( Memento of October 16, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  7. ↑ aspall.co.uk, heritage ( Memento of October 16, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  8. ↑ soilassociation.org - history ( Memento from March 27, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  9. ↑ How to make Cyder ( Memento from October 17, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  10. ↑ EADT Business Briefing, March 2012 ( Memento of September 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  11. ↑ aspall.co.uk/cyder ( Memento of September 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  12. ^ Cider and more, Dry premier cru
  13. ↑ International Cider Challenge 2011: Results (PDF; 321 kB)
  14. ↑ aspall.co.uk/vinegar ( Memento of August 17, 2012 in the Internet Archive )

Web links