Hogans Cider

Based in Haselor, near Alcester in Warwickshire, Hogans sources fruit from the traditional cider heartlands of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The operation has grown from those farmers' market beginnings to producing around half a million litres annually, with distribution reaching across the UK and into Europe.

Their range covers the full spectrum of English cider making. Sparkling options include the flagship Medium and Dry, plus more adventurous releases like Hip Hop (dry-hopped cider) and Gose Against The Grain (with sea salt). Traditional still ciders and perries come in bag-in-box format for those who want the farmhouse experience. They even produce a seven-year-aged English apple brandy.

The standout for the alcohol-free drinker is High Sobriety, their 0.5% ABV cider. Hogans have been refining this for over eight years, and it shows. Originally created because Allen wanted something better than a soft drink when not drinking, it has become their best-selling bottled product across the entire range. That says something about how seriously they took getting it right. The Original offers a dry, refreshing character that actually tastes like cider rather than apple juice, while a Raspberry variant adds fruit sweetness for those who prefer it.

Hogans represents the kind of independent producer that keeps British cider interesting. They press once a year at harvest, ferment slowly through winter, and bottle in spring. No shortcuts, no concentrates, just patience and proper fruit. High Sobriety turns up in pubs and independent bottle shops, which is more than can be said for most craft AF ciders.