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To settle a long running argument with a friend, I need to buy a good bottle of cider while I'm in the UK next month. I've fond memories (actually very little memory) of the rough stuff a mate used to bring back from Hereford when he was picking apples down there, but it needs to be available in a shop in the NW, rather than poured from a jerry can that once had red diesel in it.
The argument is basically that Basque cider is the best going. I'd disagree, though actually I'm not a fan of any cider tbh. Basque is decent enough but it's made to wash down food with, not to be appreciated, and depending on the apple harvest it can be made with 90% imported fruit from UK or France. We did a blind tasting once, with bottles from England, Breizh, Euskadi and Asturies. The English one did not fare well, but it was crap.. not White Lightning crap, think it was Old Rosie but I'm sure there are better champions of British cider.
So what should I bring?
https://www.williesmiths.com.au/ciders/18-varieties/
Confuse them all and import a bottle of that 😉 I was reacquainted with excellent cider on hot summers days by the guys there, not been brave enough to try and UK stuff yet so watching this thread
The argument is basically that Basque cider is the best going
FFS. Normandy FTW!
Go into any supermarket and buy a selection. There's shit loads nowadays.
Cheddar valley cider
I have no recollection of what they had on the bar (literally in a barrel on the bar) of my local a few years back, but they would only serve it in half pints, it didn't taste like any cider I've had before or since (in a good way) and everyone was legless on 4 or 5 of them...
It was great!
if it helps, if I were picking out an ale it'd be bottle conditioned. Does the same exist with ciders? I know CAMRA got involved with cider/perry years back
These guys make some of best cider I know of .
http://gwatkincider.co.uk<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I</span>
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">'m a big fan of their Pyder (apple/pear blend)</span>
Thistly Cross, Whisky Cask matured.
Aspall's 1728.
The only English ciders that have specified juice in them are from Herefordshire, Worcestershire or Gloucestershire. Look for the eu logo on one. Welsh cider also legally defined.
That won t mean it necessarily tastes good mind. I prefer the French stuff, bretagne or normandie.
Scrumpy
I've been drinking Thistly Cross this summer and it's been great. I'm no expert mind you, more of an ale drinker but they have been hitting the spot.
Ham Hill Early Drop or Bop Drop my favorites! or Burrow Hill of who a visit to the farm shop is worthwhile but be warned, make sure you have a DD.
.....sadly, unlikely to be available in the NW .... or the East, hence regular stocking up when visiting family!
I have no recollection of what they had on the bar (literally in a barrel on the bar) of my local a few years back, but they would only serve it in half pints, it didn’t taste like any cider I’ve had before or since (in a good way) and everyone was legless on 4 or 5 of them…
I had a couple of pints of that one lunchtime as a 16 year old on cricket tour in Bath in the 80's. Most of the rest of the team had fallen foul of the night before's barbecue, which meant Rocket Ron, the ragged Aussie (he was about 70) and I got pressganged into opening in the afternoon's game. They (Bradford on Avon) had a decent young Aussie quick, who thought if you were batting 1 and 2, that made you fair game, and it was only the lack of sensibility brought on from the cider that meant the bruises didn't hurt until much later. Apparently I was hooking him from off my nose (no helmets in those days and I was so ****ted anyway I'd have probably had it on backwards) yet I can remember almost nothing of it.
Later in that game my occasional spin was hit for the biggest six ever - it landed in the back of a coal carrying cargo train on its way to Penzance. Good days, and indirectly it was cricket tour that got me into MTB'ing a few years later!
Never liked cider before moving down to the West Country, but have Sheppys on my commute. I now top up my flagon every now and then, but my favourite is the Reserve. Really good refreshing cider; https://www.sheppyscider.com/products/medium-ciders/vintage-reserve-cider/
I may have to get the OH to drop in on her way home from work at Ham Hill though Moe, and see if she can pick up some of their cider to try!
Dunkertons Black Fox dry cider. Just far enough away from home for it not to be a problem. Unfortunately I think they now sell to supermarkets, which could be a real problem
https://www.dunkertonscider.co.uk/product-range/
Magners.......... ummm, I`ll get my coat.
Agreed with Dunkertons. Love it.
Don't dismiss Westons because of their success, still good.
Bretagne for good lower ABV cider.
spectabilis has it right. Gwatkins is superb stuff, their Yarlington Mill is lovely. If you like a fruity drink then try the Red Diesel, strawberries and cider, whats not to like.
FFS. Normandy FTW!
This. Just spent a week cycling there, and the dry farm cider is fabulous stuff.
Sams cider from my parents village is amazing.
Ignore the silly fashionable fruit ones and buy some proper Devon cider!
http://www.winkleighcider.co.uk/?age-verified=64ea9dad36
Sandford orchards just down abit further in Crediton is good too and probably more easily available to buy
https://www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/our-ciders/
Devon mist is my favourite there.
Or
look out for bottles of Hazy hog, from Hogs Back brewery
https://www.hogsback.co.uk/product/hazy-hog-cider/
Thanks for all the suggestions. Has to be something I can pick up in the supermarket really, I think Booths is probably the best bet up north, although I suppose I could order something direct and have it waiting.
These guys are on my doorstep but for some reason I have never tried it, they do win plenty of awards though
https://oliversciderandperry.co.uk/shop/
From a supermarket I would be looking at the Sheppey's Vintage (mentioned above) or Henney's Frome Valley, or Exhibition if you can find it.
Where are you in the NW? Unicorn in Chorlton normally has a good range of proper cider.
Also, If you're near Sale, you are welcome to pick up a bottle of my homebrewed cider for your taste test...
Moe has already tipped my cousin’s place, so I’ll just offer an on-line resource for West Country ciders - https://www.scrattingscraftcidershop.co.uk
It's a shame you're not in Sussex, this is my local cider stockist!
http://www.middlefarm.com/cider-barn/
From a supermarket try Angry Orchard or Aspels Organic.
Mail order then go for Lillys Cider, Pig Swill is excellent:
http://www.lilleyscider.co.uk/bag-in-box-cheeky-pig-c2x20531486
Thatchers.
Pfft! You're all getting the concept of cider completely wrong. You're meant to nip to Bargain Booze, drink 2 bottles of this...
on a park bench, then go and shout at some buses while looking wild-eyed and aggressively at unsuspecting members of the public, before falling asleep in a hedge and pissing yourself
But Binners, you can do all of that on artisan cider. All least give the MCWCBs a chance to out do each other.
Also, If you’re near Sale, you are welcome to pick up a bottle of my homebrewed cider for your taste test…
Thanks for the offer! South Cumbria, but if we're down that way I might pester you for a bottle!
For a supermarket mass-produced option, Westons Vintage is pretty decent, as is Morrisons Vintage.
Lots of people round here would say Lilleys Cider sell some of the best, and they sell online too. https://www.lilleyscider.co.uk/ The 'Crazy Goat' is ace!
Ham Hill Early Drop ( http://hamhillcider.co.uk/ ) is fantastic - one of my favourites.
Harry's Cider also have some lush ones - but i'm local so biased. ( https://www.harryscidercompany.co.uk )
These aren't [just] MCWCB recommendations - they're excellent Somerset ciders!
Westons Vintage 8.2%.. 6 for £8 at Waitrose at the moment.. or 3 for a fiver at Co-op..
and they still do, in a big way. Here are their current recommendations http://www.camra.org.uk/about-cider-perryI know CAMRA got involved with cider/perry years back
Very much doubt you’ll find anything worth drinking in a supermarket. If you’re hoping to beat a traditionally made French farmhouse cider, obviously you’re going to need the British equivalent!
Ham Hill Cider is based at Drayton, I think the Prince of Wales (on Ham Hill) sell it but would probably suggest buying from the Trading Post at Lopen Head (also pop into Pips Railway Carriage for the best food you'll ever taste!!), or Brimsmore Garden Center on the edge of Yeovil.
If you’re hoping to beat a traditionally made French farmhouse cider, obviously you’re going to need the British equivalent
I'm thinking of mail ordering a box of 12 or 24 now. Would be tragic to win the argument and be left with nowt but an empty bottle...
I would avoid Weston's and Thatcher's. There's not much body to most Weston's cider and Thatcher's haven't made a decent cider since their Mendip Scrumpy. All subjective views of course...
Moe
Ham Hill Cider is based at Drayton, I think the Prince of Wales (on Ham Hill) sell it but would probably suggest buying from the Trading Post at Lopen Head (also pop into Pips Railway Carriage for the best food you’ll ever taste!!), or Brimsmore Garden Center on the edge of Yeovil.
* Now wondering if you're local in the area like me?!
Addlestones.
Though I've not had the stuff from bottles. Draft is good. They've changed it from the old draft I used to get long ago (at Uni) which really was awesome, but also got you shitfaced after a few pints and feeling very rough.
Or any decent Scrumpy for a similar effect.
Thatchers - have to admit to a liking of Thatchers Gold bottles (or even cans!) just because it's not too strong and easy drinking when nicely chilled. Stock the fridge up etc.
What we have none of though, being of west country origin, is bloody over ice, sickly sweet, or weird other fruity flavour so called ciders.
As I cycle through Drayton & Lopen Head on my way to and from work, I wonder how local Moe and dave_rudabar are to me.
Enjoying a Harry’s dabinett right now.
Cromwell cider is my absolute favourite, but chances of you sourcing it are slim to nil. There is a Welsh one that always sells out at the booze fests I've worked on that might be Gwynt Y Ddraig Black Dragon.
Ask for Cummings or dickens cider. Thatchers vintage is my favourite at the minute