Editing Strongbow (cider) (section)

==Variations==
In the UK, Strongbow is available on draught at 4.5% ABV and in cans and bottles at 4.5% ABV. In 2012, the UK packaged versions were reduced from 5.3% ABV to 5.0% ABV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/drinks/beer-wine-and-spirits/heineken-weakens-strongbow-with-abv-cut/229879.article|title=Heineken weakens Strongbow with abv cut|first=Hannah|last=Stodell|work=thegrocer.co.uk|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>

Strongbow Gold is the variant available in mainland Europe and is available only in bottles. It was launched in May 2012, and its major markets include Italy and Hungary. It is 5% ABV and designed to be served over ice. It is over 50% apple juice, making it a similar product to [[Magners]] and Stella Cidre.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|url=https://www.strongbow.com/|title=Strongbow Apple Ciders – Strongbow|website=Strongbow Apple Ciders}}</ref> It also contains [[glucose syrup]], [[High-fructose corn syrup|glucose-fructose syrup]], food acidifier: [[malic acid]], anti-oxidant: [[Sulfur dioxide|sulphur dioxide]], the colouring agent: burned sugar.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barnivore.com/beer/81/Strongbow-UK|title=Strongbow - UK is vegan friendly |work= Barnivore vegan booze guide|accessdate=11 November 2023}}</ref> It is made in Belgium at Heineken's Stassen plant. However, the version of Strongbow Gold Apple available in Slovakia contains only 25% apple juice; in that version the colouring is E150a caramel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Strongbow Apple Ciders Gold Apple cider 330 ml – Tesco Potraviny|url=https://potravinydomov.itesco.sk/groceries/sk-SK/products/2002121191723|access-date=13 October 2020|website=potravinydomov.itesco.sk}}</ref>

Strongbow is exported to numerous overseas markets. [[Sleeman Breweries]] took over the distribution rights for Canada in 2001, and is the fifth highest selling cider in the United States, where it was imported by Vermont Hard Cider until August 2012, when Heineken regained the rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.just-drinks.com/news/strongbow-enters-canadian-market-in-sleeman-tie-up_id74196.aspx|title=CANADA: Strongbow enters Canadian market in Sleeman tie-up|date=14 November 2001|work=just-drinks.com|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref> It was launched into the Australian market in 1970, and today still remains as Australia's most popular cider.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web |url=http://www.fostersgroup.com/brands/strongbow.aspx |title=Strongbow Cider<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408142642/http://www.fostersgroup.com/brands/strongbow.aspx |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Strongbow is available in six varieties in Australia: Dry, Sweet, Original (formerly sold as "Draught"), Lower Carb (a low carbohydrate variety), Pear and Blossom Rosé.<ref name="auto"/> [[Foster's Group]] purchased the Strongbow brand in Australia in 2003, and continues to produce, distribute & market the brand.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> They were themselves purchased by [[SABMiller]] in 2011 before being bought out by [[Anheuser-Busch|Anheuser-Busch InBev]] in 2017. It is confirmed that in the Australian market, the brand will be purchased by [[Asahi Breweries]] in June 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asahigroup-holdings.com/en/ir/pdf/20pdf/200507.pdf|title="Announcement regarding the completion timing of the proposed acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Australian business of Anheuser-Busch InBev"|accessdate=11 November 2023}}</ref> [[Carlton & United Breweries]], currently have the rights to Strongbow in Australia.

In 2013, Heineken launched "Strongbow Dark Fruit" in the UK, which contains [[blackcurrant]] and [[blackberry]] juices. 2015 saw the introduction of "Cloudy Apple", a [[scrumpy]] version of the cider. In 2020, "Strongbow Rosé", a [[rosé]]-style cider, was introduced. In 2023, to coincide with another rebrand, a tropical flavour was introduced, containing mango and pineapple. In 2024, a "Zest" flavour (containing orange, lemon and lime) and a strawberry flavour were introduced. 

In 2014 in the US, Heineken launched two new sweeter flavours, dubbed "Gold Apple" and "Honey &amp; Apple".<ref name=heinekenusa201403>{{cite web|url=http://heinekenusa.com/2014/03/bulls-eye-strongbow-hits-mark-new-hard-apple-ciders/|title=Bull's-eye: Strongbow Hits the Mark With New Hard Apple Ciders – HEINEKEN USA|date=20 March 2014|work=heinekenusa.com|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brewbound.com/news/strongbow-hard-cider-launches-two-new-brands|title=Strongbow Hard Cider Launches Two New Brands - Brewbound.com|work=brewbound.com|date=19 March 2014 |access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref> Strongbow subsequently discontinued the original dry cider Strongbow flavor in the USA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/hoppy-times/2014/04/strongbow-discontinues-their-original-recipe/|title=Strongbow Discontinues Their Original Recipe|work=chicagonow.com|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bevindustry.com/articles/87301-heineken-phases-out-original-strongbow-hard-cider-recipe-with-new-flavors|title=Heineken phases out original Strongbow Hard Cider recipe with new flavors|work=bevindustry.com|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>  The move to discontinue the original dry cider recipe in the US and replace it with two sweeter varieties was criticized by some vocal customers, with comments related to the discontinuation appearing on various [[internet forum]]s, the Strongbow [[Facebook]] page, and the USA Heineken Strongbow web page.<ref name=heinekenusa201403 /> However, in May 2018, Heineken announced that it would bring back the original dry cider to the United States in 16.9-ounce cans, which it did the following month.<ref>{{cite web|date=20 May 2018|title=Heineken to Re-Release Strongbow Original Dry Cider|url=https://www.brewbound.com/news/heineken-re-release-strongbow-original-dry-cider/|access-date=13 October 2020|website=Brewbound}}</ref>

In 2015 in the US, a variety pack was released, which includes the two existing flavors "Gold Apple" and "Honey &amp; Apple" along with two additional flavors "Red Berries" and "Ginger."<ref name=CSNews2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.csnews.com/product-categories/new-products-and-promotions/strongbow-hard-apple-ciders|title=Strongbow Red Berries & Strongbow Ginger|work=csnews.com|date=April 2015 |access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=CheersOnline20150320>{{cite web|url=http://cheersonline.com/2015/03/20/strongbow-red-berries-ginger/|title=Strongbow Red Berries, Ginger|date=20 March 2015|work=cheersonline.com|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref> "Cherry Blossom" was introduced in 2016.<ref>{{cite press release|last=USA|first=HEINEKEN|title=Strongbow Welcomes Spring With New Cherry Blossom Hard Apple Cider|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strongbow-welcomes-spring-with-new-cherry-blossom-hard-apple-cider-300238726.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=www.prnewswire.com}}</ref>

In 2022, a low-calorie variant, Strongbow Ultra, was introduced. The initial flavour of this variant, Dark Fruit, contained 95 calories per can, 30% fewer than the regular version of the Dark Fruit flavour. In 2023, Strongbow introduced an apple flavour to the range; the apple flavour contains 80 calories per can, 36% fewer than the Original flavour.