By Business & Finance 
Arthur Lenormand, marketing director of House of Beer (France) and Daniel Emerson of Finnbarra Cider/Nohoval Drinks Company
Finnbarra Irish Craft Cider (aka Stonewell Cider) to be distributed and sold nationwide across France.
Carlsberg subsidiary, House of Beer (France) and the Nohoval Drinks Company – owned and run by husband and wife team, Daniel and Geraldine Emerson, since 2010 – have agreed a five-year contract for the supply of Nohoval Drinks’ premium Finnbarra Dry Irish Craft Cider to France. House of Beer, which specialises in premium international, craft and world beers, will sell and distribute Finnbarra Cider (known as Stonewell Cider in Ireland) throughout France. The total volume ordered by House of Beer in the first three years of the deal alone equates to the entire 2015 output of Finnbarra by the West Cork-based, family business. Finnbarra Dry Irish Craft Cider will be sold across France in both bottle and draught formats.
House of Beer has identified a growing demand for natural craft cider in a market currently dominated by mass-produced cider brands. The Emerson’s Finnbarra Dry Irish Craft Cider is made from 100% pure apple juice.
Commenting on the announcement, Arthur Lenormand, House of Beer’s marketing director said: “The French market is cornered between Brittany farmhouse and overseas industrial ciders. As with the micro beer sector, wherein lies our established expertise, we are convinced that there is a latent demand amongst French consumers for a new taste experience which will change their patterns of consumption.”
The contract is the largest to date for the Nohoval Drinks Company, which was founded by Daniel and Geraldine Emerson at their Nohoval home in West-Cork in 2010. Commenting on the contract, Daniel Emerson said: “This is a landmark deal for us on several levels. A large five year contract for a six year old company allows us to plan our business with greater confidence. That this contract is for a market of 63 million people and with a subsidiary of Carlsberg is a significant endorsement of both our business and our cider.”
