It can be daunting to know where to start when you are searching for real cider. We hope that these tips can help you improve your success of find the golden stuff.
This web site
Our aims are to champion the ‘Real’ Cider movement. By supporting cider producers, pubs, and cider fans. On our site there lots of information on the enjoyment of the traditional craft of ‘Real’ Cider.
Start by visiting our most popular pages – UK cider producer list, and Buy Cider online pages.
Tourism board
Tourism offices around the country will have leaflets on local cider producers or pubs that may sell cider. If you are in cider areas, you may also find they have cycle maps, and pub walks that means you can enjoy cider and perry at your leisure.
Visiting farmers markets
There are many farmers markets in most parts of the UK now, where you can try and buy a wide range of fruits, vegetables, wines and ciders.
Ask a local
More likely than not, if you are in a pub, most people will have an idea of where to find that special cider, or at least have a story about their experiences with cider! If you are ever stuck in a place, go in to a pub and ask a local. They will always be happy to point you in the right direction!
Visiting pubs in cider regions
Depending on facilities and turnover in the licenses premises, ciders in pubs will be served in three ways: by draught, by bottle, or by plastic barrel. If you are in a cider area like Herefordshire, more likely than not the landlord will be more than happy to tell you more about where the cider comes from.
Visiting cider producers
This is the real deal. This is your chance to learn about how the cider or perry is made on site, find out about the apple growing season, and of course sample the produce before buying.
This is always a fantastic opportunity to learn directly about all the issues affecting cider producers, and learn about what makes the cider area they are in so special.
Drinking it
Just by going to your supermarket, if they sell cider and it looks good, buy it and see what its like. By building up a good experience of drinking a variety of real ciders you will learn to know where the good cider regions are, or just by visiting the producers web site.
Other cider fans, word of mouth
Whether you are a newcomer to cider, or a long-term fan you will always find new ciders when you travel around the UK. If you are in a cider producer, farmers market, or pub – there will always be a new piece of information that will improve your knowledge of cider, and give you more experience to look out for the next tipple.
Let us know if you have any other ways of finding cider? Do you agree with our suggestions? We’d love to know.