If you live anywhere near Ontario’s horse country, there’s a good chance you’ve watched a horse show with a Pommies Cider in hand. That’s no accident. Nick and Lindsay Sutcliffe, the husband-and-wife team behind Pommies, built their brand on two things they know best: horses and cider.
“Our family is defined by two things: riding horses and making cider,” Nick says. “So why not combine them? Makes life easier.”
The Idea That Wouldn’t Go Away
Nick switched from beer to cider back in 2010 and couldn’t understand why Ontario, with all its beautiful apples, didn’t have a decent local option. Ontario apples are perfect for making cider because the cold climate produces apples with a crisp acidity. In his words: “The colder the apple, the better the cider. That’s science.”
Growing up in England where cider is a very popular alternative to beer, Nick was perplexed and would continually ask “Why aren’t there any Ontario ciders?” This question eventually progressed to statements like “Someone should make an Ontario cider” which then morphed into “We should make an Ontario cider.” Finally, in a moment of marital diplomacy, Lindsay told him: “Oh, for God’s sake, shut up and let’s just do it.”
Nick, being from England and genetically predisposed to take cider seriously, took that as a challenge. He drove to Prince Edward County, tracked down Grant and Jenifer Howes of County Cider which was the only Ontario cider at the time, and convinced them to spill their secrets. With only one other cidery in Ontario, Nick and Lindsay figured they had nothing to lose but money, time, and perhaps their sanity.
In their early days, the Sutcliffes were building more than a brand, they were building the category. Few consumers in Ontario even knew what cider was. To help grow the category, Nick and Lindsay worked to establish the Ontario Craft Cider Association.
“We always believed a rising tide lifts all ships,” explained Nick. “From the beginning, it wasn’t just about building our own business, it was about creating an industry in Ontario. There was a real groundswell of people interested in making cider, so we formed the association to help them produce the best product possible. Everyone helped each other in any way they could. The enemy was never each other, it was the big macro companies, and taking them on felt a lot more fun together.”
Turns out the Sutcliffes were on to something; today, there are 107 companies in Ontario making cider.
From Zero to Horse Show Heroes
With Lindsay’s equestrian background, it was almost inevitable that the horse world and the cider world would collide. She’s been riding since the age of six (“so about 20 years ago,” she laughed) and spent years winning ribbons in the jumper ring. These days, however, her role has evolved into something far more prestigious: chief treat dispenser and sideline cheer squad for daughters Beatrice and Maddy, who are busy climbing the jumper ranks.
“If you don’t have a Pommies and a bag of chips by the time the first horse enters the ring, you’re doing it wrong.”
Early on, the Sutcliffes realized they weren’t just launching a brand; they were teaching an entire province what cider actually was. When offered an opportunity to partner with Angelstone, it was a no-brainer. What started off back in 2013 as modest ringside sampling has grown to quite a presence at the horse shows. From their often photographed bright green cans in the jumper ring to the beautifully designed hunter jump used in the derby series. It is this Friday derby series where Pommies has focused their presence, reinforcing the importance of the tailgate culture that is so synonymous with derbies.
Spectators and horse show participants flock to the derby ring on Friday afternoons, on the lookout for the bright green cooler filled with Pommies to enjoy.
Lindsay jokes, “If you don’t have a Pommies and a bag of chips by the time the first horse enters the ring, you’re doing it wrong.”
The overlap between horse lovers and cider drinkers turned out to be very real. Their best-selling LCBO stores are all clustered in horse country, proving once and for all that riders are thirsty, loyal, and apparently very good customers.
Nick and Lindsay are on a mission to turn Ontario into “cider country.”
They’re also doubling down on their equestrian roots. This year, Pommies will debut a new branded jump at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. They have traditionally had a derby hunter jump, but this year are introducing a new jumper jump that will make its first appearance during the Canadian Championships.
Meanwhile, cider is having another moment. While coolers slump, Ontario craft cider is on the rise. Which is handy, because Nick and Lindsay are on a mission to turn Ontario into “cider country.” Napa can keep its grapes; Ontario has apples.
At the Sutcliffe farm, cider production is only half the story. Horses are still part of daily life, with the family caring for their beloved herd of “young and useless” equines. But for the Sutcliffes, it’s all about joy. Nick sums it up: “At the end of the day, it should be fun. Having a cider and riding a horse should both be fun – not together!”
So, the next time you’re at a horse show, don’t forget the essentials: saddle, helmet, Pommies. Preferably in that order.
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