Is it a beer? Is it a cider?

Cider may be a very lose definition applying to all kinds of alcoholic beverages. But it remains to be seen if it is as elastic to include Diageo’s Jeremiah Weed brand, which was recently been rebranded as a “Kentucky style cider brew”. What’s that? Exactly.

The Jeremiah Weed products have been around for a while. There’s a Root Brew with a ginger flavour and there’s a Sour Mash with a Bourbon flavour.

All of this sounds “beer-ish” and “whiskey-ish” to me, although these drinks were touted at their 2010 UK launch as “sweet tea-based liqueurs”.

To make matters even more confusing, these products are to be considered ciders as of now because they are made from cider, spirits and flavourings.

However, according to UK media, the liquid is the same despite the rebrand.

Diageo was quoted as saying that it hopes the move will “help consumers, retailers and bar staff better understand the brand’s exciting and innovative offering and Kentucky heritage.” It is also investing in a GBP 1 million campaign to drive sales of the brand, which will include TV advertising through July and August and sampling at festivals.