Editing Strongbow (cider) (section)

==History==
[[File:LogostrongbowUK.gif|thumb|left|Former product logo]]
Strongbow was launched in the United Kingdom by H.&nbsp;P. Bulmer in 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strongbow.com/AboutUs.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031543/http://www.strongbow.com/AboutUs.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{Title missing|date=July 2023}}</ref> Bulmer named the cider after "one of [[England]]'s greatest knights" [[Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|Richard de Clare]], whose nickname "Strongbow" was believed to be derived from his heavy reliance on archers during his [[Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|campaigns in Ireland]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.strongbow.com.au/|title=Strongbow Cider|website=Strongbow Cider}}</ref> However, this theory is unlikely to be true because de Clare's father, [[Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke|Gilbert de Clare]], was originally known as "Strongbow", which suggests that Richard's nickname was actually inherited from his father.<ref>Flanagan, M. (23 September 2004). Clare, Richard fitz Gilbert de [called Strongbow], second earl of Pembroke [earl of Striguil] (c. 1130–1176), warrior. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 28 May. 2018, from [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-5447]</ref> It was initially marketed as "the strong cider for men".<ref>''The Times'', Friday, 13 July 1962; p. 14; Issue 55442; col A</ref>

By 1970, it was the second-highest selling cider in the world after its Bulmer's stablemate [[Woodpecker Cider|Woodpecker]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} By 2001, Strongbow was among the top ten drinks by sales in pubs and bars in England and [[Wales]].<ref>''The Times'' (London) 27 March 2001, Tuesday Cider joins favourite pub drinks</ref>

In 2003, Bulmers was purchased by [[Scottish & Newcastle]], who in turn were taken over by Heineken in 2008. In January 2011, Heineken announced their intention to take the Strongbow brand global.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8284822/Heineken-plans-to-take-Strongbow-cider-global.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=James | last=Hall | title=Heineken plans to take Strongbow cider global. | date=27 January 2011}}</ref>

Heineken acquired the rights to Strongbow in Australia from [[Asahi Breweries|Asahi]] in 2020.<ref name="aus">{{cite news |last1=Upshall |first1=Emma |title=Heineken to buy Asahi brands, reunites global Strongbow portfolio |url=https://www.foodbev.com/news/heineken-to-buy-asahi-brands-reunites-global-strongbow-portfolio/ |access-date=11 November 2020 |date=28 October 2020}}</ref>