Two local drink producers are expanding as their regional ale and cider have hit the shelves of a local co-operative.

Dartmoor Brewery based in Princetown and Taunton Cider based in Taunton are two of the latest suppliers to have their products added to the Local Flavours range offered by Southern Co-op.

The products will be on offer in a total of 16 stores run by the regional, independent co-operative in Berkshire, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range currently has around 200 local suppliers and 200 stores in 11 different counties across the south of England stocking local products with an assortment of products from essential eggs and milk to luxury chocolate and top tipples.

Matt Elliott, Retail Buying & Services Manager who looks after Local Flavours at Southern Co-op, said: “Both of these companies have businesses which have a strong commitment to their local environment and sustainability – something we strive for and encourage people to consider when doing their shopping.

“We are excited to have them on board and hope our customers love them just as much as we do.”

Taunton Cider was once the largest cider company in the world and, since it was reformed in 2016, the producers have been trying to bring back its history and heritage by making a traditional craft cider, using proper methods.

With all of its apples grown, harvested, pressed, fermented, conditioned, packaged and distributed from Somerset, sustainability is part of its process and its orchards provide a home for hundreds of species of wildlife.

Taunton Cider won 30 awards in its first four years and its products being stocked in Southern Co-op’s stores are Taunton Dry Cider, Taunton Medium Cider, and Taunton Vintage Cider.

Jonathan Dunne, the founder and owner of Taunton Cider, said: “We have grown by word of mouth and by people trying our cider, it is what cider really should taste like. It is fermented naturally, conditioned and then blended by our master cider maker.

“It is a natural, slower process than the big commercial ciders makers use. We are about to take over some orchards to restore them to their former glory and are planning a new Somerset Orchard.”

Dartmoor Brewery, which was established in Princetown in 1994, currently brews over three million pints of beer each year and is Devon’s second largest brewery.

With a number of awards under its belt, including a bronze in the World Beer Awards 2018 for Jail Ale, the brewery is particularly proud of its surroundings and sources its ingredients as locally as possible to reduce food miles and carbon footprint.

Southern Co-op will be stocking three of Dartmoor Brewery’s products – Dartmoor Ipa, Dartmoor Legend Ale, and Dartmoor Jail Ale.

Karen Lunney, Operations Manager for Dartmoor Brewery, said: “We’re proud to use all products during the brewing process in an environmentally friendly way including all our spent malt grains being collected every week by an accredited local farmer to be fed to cattle, plus all excess yeast, drainings and spoilt beer are collected by tanker to be used in an anaerobic digester to generate energy.

“As the only brewery on the moor producing Dartmoor branded beer, we’re passionate about preserving and promoting Dartmoor and its traditions, from working with local suppliers to supporting the community and protecting the environment. We are also committed to supporting good local pubs, community groups and events.”

The new products will be available at The Co-operative Food stores in Bow’s Burston Road, Bradford On Avon’s Winsley Road, Bristol’s Ashley Down Road and Whiteladies Road, Burnham on Sea’s Berrow Road, Cotford St Luke’s Graham Way, Cranbrook’s Younghayes Road, Exmouth’s Exeter Road, Frome’s Nunney Road, Lambourn’s High Street, Mere’s The Square, Newbury’s Brummell Road, Pill’s Baltic Place, Portishead’s Port Marine, Shrewton’s High Street, and Sturminster’s Station Road.

To find out more about the Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/food/local-flavours/.