TORONTO, June 11, 2013 /CNW/ - After serving up Canada's most iconic beer for more than two centuries, Molson Canadian is expanding its product line with the launch of Molson Canadian Cider. The launch marks the first time that the brand has offered a non-beer alternative since 1786, when John Molson officially opened the doors to the company's first brewery.

"This launch demonstrates our focus on innovation to expand the Molson Canadian brand to better meet the evolving tastes of drinkers" says David Bigioni, Vice President Marketing, Molson Coors Canada. "Molson Canadian Cider represents the next chapter in our Made From Canada strategy, a premium hard cider made with only Canadian Apples. The expansion of Molson Canadian into the cider category represents an opportunity for consumers to deepen their connection with one of Canada's most iconic brands"

Like Molson Canadian, Molson Canadian Cider is made from the highest quality ingredients available including apples that are 100% Canadian grown. The traditional English style cider has a bold apple flavour, with a balanced medium sweetness and medium acidity that is provided by the fruit. The result is a crisp, sharp, refreshing taste that finishes incredibly smooth.

"Cider apples are generally organized into four main categories: sweets, sharps, bittersweets, and bittersharps. Molson Canadian Cider falls in the middle of this spectrum, offering a semi-dry taste with a bright apple aroma that will appeal to a wide variety of drinkers," says Steve Stradiotto Molson Coors brewmaster. "When pouring a Molson Canadian Cider the first thing you will notice is the colour. Brilliantly clear with yellow and amber hues, what follows is a clean, freshly cut apple aroma. It can be enjoyed on its own over ice but also pairs perfectly with a wide variety of foods and flavours."

Package Formats and Pricing

Molson Canadian Cider contains 5.0% ABV (alcohol by volume). It will be sold in the following formats in Ontario and Nova Scotia exclusively at the LCBO and NSLC.

6 X 341 ml bottles
473 ml cans

Molson Canadian Cider will be available starting June 10, 2013.

About Molson Coors Brewing Company

Molson Coors Brewing Company is a leading global brewer delivering extraordinary brands that delight the world's beer drinkers. It brews, markets and sells a portfolio of leading brands such as Coors Light, Molson Canadian, Molson Dry, Carling, Blue Moon and Keystone Light across the Americas, Europe and Asia. It operates in Canada through Molson Coors Canada, in the U.S. through Miller Coors and in the U.K. and Ireland through Molson Coors (UK and Ireland). For more information on Molson Coors Brewing Company visit www.molsoncoors.com.

SOURCE Molson Coors Brewing Company

Image with caption: "Molson Canadian breaks new ground with the launch of Molson Canadian Cider (CNW Group/Molson Coors Brewing Company)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130611_C6962_PHOTO_EN_27829.jpg