Cork's Stonewell Craft Cider has signed a 5 year distribution deal with a subsidiary of Carlsberg to have its product sold throughout France.
Daniel and Geraldine Emerson, the latter a French native and from a wine making family, founded Nohoval Drinks Company in 2010, where the cider is produced.
It will be renamed as 'Finnbarra Dry Irish Cider' for the French market and will be served in bottles and on draught. The Carlsberg subsidiary, called 'House of Beer', have ordered a total volume of cider over three years that is the equivalent to Nohoval's cider output for 2015, according to the Irish Independent.
House of Beer marketing director Arthur Lenormand said “there is a latent demand amongst French consumers for a new taste experience which will change their patterns of consumption. As a result we are delighted to be able to introduce Finnbarra to them.”
Daniel Emerson described the deal as a “landmark” and “allows us to plan our business with greater confidence. That this contract is for a market of 63 million people and with a subsidiary of Carlsberg is a significant endorsement of both our business and our cider.”
House of Beer is also responsible for distributing Guinness West Indies Porter, Dublin Porter and Smithwicks throughout France, and this new deal will have Finnbarra cider distributed to on- and off-trade outlets across eight operating regions.
