BC Tree Fruits Enters Beverage Category With Launch of BC Tree Fruits Cider Company

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 30, 2015) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

After nearly 80 years of rich history in fruit production, BC Tree Fruits is entering a new industry with the launch of BC Tree Fruits Cider Company this April.

The new venture has been years in the works, including an intensive recipe process, partnerships with experts in the craft cider market and the build out of the in-house cidery and tasting room in Kelowna, BC.

The result is BC Tree Fruits Cider Company's first cider offering, Broken Ladder, which will be available at select BC Liquor Stores, independent beer and wine stores, and restaurants starting April 1.

Broken Ladder is a secret blend of six local BC Tree Fruit apple varieties picked from Okanagan Valley orchards. The premium craft cider, is well balanced, golden-straw in colour with no added sugar or flavours. It proudly lists only one ingredient on the can - BC apples. Broken Ladder is naturally gluten-free, with a traditional full bodied, refreshing taste and 5.5% alcohol.

"The craft cider category is one of the fastest growing in the beverage sector," shares Chris Pollock, Marketing Manger, BC Tree Fruits. "We are an authentic homegrown producer - apples are locally handpicked and pressed right in our own cidery, resulting in a premium cider."

"We wanted to look at making a cider the same way you would a wine," explains BC Tree Fruits Cider Company Project Manager, Mike Daley. "We envisioned a cider true to its natural form. The taste is as real as it gets."

"Cider is the perfect answer for apples not destined for the fresh market," adds Daley. "BC Tree Fruits represents over 500 families. Those families represent over 80% of the tree fruits grown in British Columbia. It was natural move. We have all of the varieties and the best fruit to pick from. It makes sense to add value for these families and consumers by creating a cider, true to their roots."

The BC Tree Fruits Cider Company brand has maintained the BC Tree Fruits leaf to identify with the strong reputation of the brand across Canada. The leaf acts as a sign of quality that fresh fruit customers can easily identify.

About BC Tree Fruits Cider Company:

BC Tree Fruits Cider Company's inaugural cider offering, Broken Ladder, celebrates the passion of three generations in the BC Tree Fruits family in British Columbia's Okanagan. With a secret blend of six apple varieties, they have discovered the perfect premium Craft Cider, transporting apples from the orchard to an ice-filled glass with all the flavour nature intended.

For more information: www.bctreefruitscider.com - www.twitter.com/BCTFCider - www.facebook.com/BCTFCider

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: www.marketwire.com/library/20150325-bctfcbrokenladder800.jpg.