White Lightning was a brand of white cider originally brewed in the early 1990s by Inches Cider of Winkleigh. The brand was acquired by Bulmers in 1995. Despite assurances that production would continue in Winkleigh, the site was eventually closed and all production moved to Hereford. Bulmers was in turn acquired by Scottish Courage in 2003.
White Lightning was most commonly recognised by its distinctive blue bottle design, low price and high strength, making it popular with those wishing for alcoholic intoxication at a minimum price.
When originally released, White Lightning had 8.4% alcohol by volume, which was later reduced to 7.5%, then to 5.5% in May 2009.
At the end of 2009, Heineken (Scottish Courage's parent company) decided to discontinue the manufacture of White Lightning in order to cease encouraging irresponsible drinking.
Famous quotes containing the words white and/or lightning:
“Only the white, tremendous foam of the street has any importance,
The new white flowers that are beginning to shoot up about now.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“God from the mount of Sinai, whose grey top
Shall tremble, he descending, will himself
In thunder lightning and loud trumpets’ sound
Ordain them laws; part such as appertain
To civil justice, part religious rites
Of sacrifice, informing them, by types
And shadows, of that destined seed to bruise
The serpent, by what means he shall achieve
Mankind’s deliverance.”
—John Milton (1608–1674)