With its National Cider and Perry Month now in full flow, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today revealed how the real cider and perry industry is growing in line with the UK’s real ale boom*, as new figures show how there are now over 300 producers operational across the UK, twice as many as in 2005**.
With the research conducted by CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Committee, some of the biggest growth areas of the UK for real cider and perry include Herefordshire, which boasts over 40 producers, and Somerset, with over 35.
Such is the increasing interest in the nation’s historic cider making tradition, even less popular areas for cider such as in Yorkshire, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man are seeing small companies start life.
CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Month campaign takes place throughout October to celebrate the production, history and skill associated with real cider and perry making. The month is an active time for cider makers before their produce is ready to drink in early Spring.
Andrea Briers, CAMRA National Cider and Perry Committee chairman, said:
‘We are delighted to see a large number of people coming into the real cider and perry industry and playing a major part in driving consumer interest in local produce, whether sold at a small farm outlet or a CAMRA festival. Our local branches are discovering new producers starting up all the time, meaning we are constantly revising our databases, and always welcoming new information.’
‘It’s also exciting to hear many of these producers reporting high demand for their ciders and perries. This shows how many drinkers in the current climate are shunning mass produced brands and instead are turning to their local producer for quality and choice. Cider making is one of the nation’s proudest rural traditions, and with producers starting to emerge in more urbanised areas as well, the continual growth in the industry is extremely positive news when reinforcing the importance of this historic craft.’
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Notes to editors-
* In September, CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2013 reported there are now over 1,000 breweries operational across the UK, the highest number for over 70 years.
**Source- CAMRA’s Good Cider Guide, published in 2005, reported 155 producers in operation.
Definition of Draught Real Cider-
Real cider is a long-established traditional drink which is produced naturally from freshly pressed apples and is not artificially carbonated, micro-filtered or pasteurised. As cider is made from apples, perry is made from pears.
National Cider and Perry Month takes place in October each year to celebrate the production, history and skill associated with real cider and perry production. For more information on the Month, or to find an event near you, please visit www.camra.org.uk/
-As the fruit ripens throughout September and October, it is milled and pressed. The juice is then left to ferment and mature until early spring when it is ready to drink.
For further information-
CAMRA Press Office – 01727 798443
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee Chairman (East Anglia) – 07732 754888
Sarah Newson, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee Vice-Chair (Yorkshire) – 07769 660454
Gillian Williams, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (Derbyshire) – 07847 504074
Mick Lewis, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (London) – 07952 244687
Rhys Jones, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (Wales) – 01974 241255
Alistair Boyd, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (Scotland) – 0141 9442016
John Lewis, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (Shropshire) – 01743 357017
Ian Packham, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (South West) – 07887 876753