CIDER lovers in the USA were able to enjoy a very English tipple over the festive period, thanks to a new export deal.

Hogan’s Cider, which makes its artisan cider and perries in Castlemorton, near Malvern, has linked up with the American speciality beer importer Shelton Brothers to distribute its bottled ciders and perries.

Their bottled dry cider, medium cider and award-winning 2009 vintage perry ended up in bars and taverns as far afield as California, Washington DC and upstate New York.

Allen Hogan from Hogan’s Cider said: “While the USA sends us technology like iphones and Google, it’s reassuring that in return we send them one of the region’s oldest and most traditional of products.

“Having enjoyed a real resurgence over the past five or so years in the UK it now looks like our friends in the US are recognising something we have known for a while, how wonderful cider and perry are.”

He added: “As well as supporting an emerging band of domestic makers the Americans are also importing the very best of the UK’s production. Hogan’s Cider is delighted to be part of this low tech transfer, first with our draught cider and now with our bottled ciders and perry.”

Lauren Shepard of Shelton Brothers said: “Traditional English cider is very new to the American palate, so we were pleasantly surprised by how many people wrote to us asking for more Hogan’s Draught, even beer drinkers.”

This deal follows the successful export of Hogan’s draught cider to Shelton Brothers in 2009.

The cider maker, launched in 2005, makes its traditional goods from fruit picked in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.