As well as campaigning for real ale, CAMRA also has a group called APPLE which campaigns for real cider and perry.

There are not many pubs which serve cider and perry on a regular basis in the North Herts branch area. But we are better off than many, according to the people compiling the new edition of CAMRA’s Good Cider Guide, and over time the number is growing. The power of TV and the fizz from Ireland (M**ners) has increased the popularity of all types of cider, so if your local doesn’t stock it get them to look into it. Many suppliers now provide their products in 20 litre bag-in-boxes which have a shelf life of 3 months so it’s unlikely to go off before it’s all sold. There are adaptors available to connect the tap to a handpump so the box can be stored in the cellar.

We always have a selection of cider and perry at our two beer and cider festivals in Hitchin and Letchworth, and most other CAMRA-run festivals do too.

These pubs in the branch area usually have at least one real cider or a perry available.

• The Lytton Arms, Old Knebworth
• The Lordship Arms, Benington
• The Strathmore Arms, St. Paul’s Walden
• Our Mutual Friend, Stevenage
• The Standing Order, Stevenage
• The Sunrunner, Hitchin
• The Half Moon, Hitchin
• The Red Lion, Preston
• The Chequers, Woolmer Green
• The Tally Ho, Barkway (on trial)
• The Catherine Wheel, Albury (new)

Strangely enough most of these pubs are known for good beer as well. So, if you like real cider go and live in the south end of Hitchin, and most of these are not far away. Outside the branch try these: -

• The Tudor Oaks, Astwick (on the A1 north of Baldock)
• The Queens Head, Allens Green (near Sawbridgeworth)
• The Old Cross Tavern, Hertford
• The Old Barge, Hertford
• The Half Moon, Bishop’s Stortford

Guess what, these do good beer too. There is clearly a correlation between cider and good beer.

A Selection of Beer Agents/Cider Makers/Breweries who carry and will deliver cider/perry:-

Beer Agents

Beer Seller 01963 32255
Westons, Bulmers, Thatchers, Matthew Clark; Delivery whole of the UK

East-West Ales 01892 834040
Thatchers (inc. Moles Black Rat), Biddenden; Delivery all of England

Small Beer 01522 540431
Westons, Biddenden, Thatchers (inc. Moles Black Rat), Broadoak, Bulmers, Reedcutter; Delivery mainly East Midlands, & up as far North as Newcastle

Cider Makers

Biddenden Cider, Kent 01580 291 726
Biddenden dry or medium both 8% or Bushells Cider 6%; Delivery South East, Kent, East Sussex, London. Supplied in 2 gallons/5 gallons/ or 9 gallon containers.

Westons Cider, Hereford 01531 660100
Old Rosie, Traditional Scrumpy, 1st Quality, GWR, Bounds Brand Perry; Will deliver own products Nationwide.

Breweries

Crouch Vale 01245 322 744
Eight to twelve products on their list which changes. Delivery Essex; South Suffolk, East & Central London.

Church End Brewery 01827 713080
Carries a selection of cider/perry which can be delivered on the back of a beer order. Delivery Central England plus Somerset & parts of Yorkshire. Ring to discuss requirements.

Wholesalers who carry bottles to the trade:-

Dayla 01296 420 261
Thatchers, Westons, & Bulmers, bottles & polycasks. Delivery Thames Valley & Home Counties.

Infinity Wholefoods 01273 424 060
Dunkertons & Westons. Delivery Sussex & the South, but can arrange delivery Nationally.

Rainbow Wholefoods 01603 630 484
Organic only:- Crones, & Dunkertons bottles only. Trade deliveries to East Anglia only. Also has a shop open to the public in Norwich City Centre.

Suma Wholefoods 01422 313 840
Thatchers, Weston’s & Dunkertons. Delivery Countrywide.

Champion Ciders and Perrys 2006

CIDER

GOLD – Hecks Kingston Black (Street, Somerset)
SILVER – Harechurch Dry (Drybrook, Gloucestershire)
BRONZE – Dening’s Medium (Near Yeovil, Somerset)

PERRY

GOLD – Seidr Dai (Cardiff)
SILVER – Ross on Wye (Broom Farm) (Peterstow, Hereford)
BRONZE -Mr Whiteheads (Newton Valence, Hampshire)

BOTTLED CIDER

WINNER – Steve Hughes (Llandegla, Wrexham, North Wales)

More information on cider and perry can be found on these websites.

ukcider

The new Real Cider and Perry page

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