Editorial illustration showing an orchard, EU flag, Carlsberg branding, and a proposed EU cider labeling document beneath the question "What Does 'Cider' Mean?"

Why a Global Beer Giant Just Waded Into a Fight Over What “Cider” Means

August 10, 2026 Here’s a question that is best asked over a glass of…cider: What actually makes something a cider? Many traditional producers, particularly in France and Spain, have been asking that question for years, urging EU regulators to adopt a clearer legal definition that distinguishes cider made entirely from fermented fruit juice from more … Read more

Split cider bottle of traditional and modern practices illustrating the debate over proposed EU cider definitions ahead of a June 9 regulatory meeting.

Who Gets to Define Cider? EU Draft Heads to National Representatives June 9

A draft proposal that could reshape how cider and perry are defined across the European Union is scheduled for discussion by national representatives on June 9 in Belgium. The working document, prepared for a Wine & Spirit GREX meeting, outlines possible marketing standards and reserved terms for cider and perry products. While still under discussion, … Read more