Cider Festivals 2022

East Coast Cider Festival, Halifax NS
May 28, 2022 

Location: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3J5 (map)

Will feature 26 cidermakers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I.

 

Ludlow Spring Festival
May 14-15, 2022

Location: Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, SY8 1AY (map)

Live music, classic cars, talks n' tipples – what more could you want? All of it takes place in the stunning setting of Ludlow Castle at the Ludlow Spring Festival. We like this one because there's a big emphasis on cider. All in all, there will be over 200 beers and ciders available from brewers based locally and throughout the UK.

 

Royal Bath & West Show
June 2-4, 2022

Location: The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN (map)

This event is a little different, The Royal Bath and West Show is a renowned agricultural event. It also plays host to the British Cider Championships. In fact, The Royal Bath & West Society set up the competition in 1895. It is thought that theirs is the oldest cider competition in the world. This year, a selection of ciders will be available each day to show-goers. Another interesting element of the show are the tutor-led cider tasting sessions.

 

Welsh Perry & Cider Festival
June 2-5, 2022

Location: Caldicot Castle and Country Park, Church Road, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 4HU (map)

 

Brogdale Cider Trail
August 26-27, 2023

Location: Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ (map)

Taste over 40 locally produced ciders. A free shuttle bus will be running from Faversham mainline train station to Brogdale.

UK Cider Festivals     UK Cider Festival Guide

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Chalkdown Cider

An English cider producer has made an exceptional sparkling cider made using the champagne method. Chalkdown Cider has won numerous awards for this unique cider. I have yet to try it.

Duntroon Empire Extra Dry Cyder

I reviewed the regular Duntroon cider here. They have now released an extra dry version. It is nice light apple bouquet and taste, and is quite dry with a pleasant tartness. Very nice. Would make a good accompaniment to white meat or seafood. My rating 9/10.

CAMRA - real cider!

In Britain the laws regulating cider specify that it contain a minumum of only 35% apple juice (or concentrate). This seems extremely low considering the number of Canadian ciders I have tried that list only apples as the ingredient. In France cider must be made from 100% apples. 

A voluntary organization in the UK called the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA)  advocates for higher minimum standards for what they refer to as "real ale", "real cider" and "real perry", as well as traditional British pubs. With 165,000 members it is the largest consumer advocacy group in the UK.

Rock Creek Dry

Located in western Canada with cideries in both Vancouver and Calgary, Rock Creek makes a different type of cider in Canada because of the use of British and European apple varieties: Bulmers, Norman, Belle de Boskoop and Bramley. Amber coloured, it has a pronounced apple flavour up front that lingers, and is nicely off dry. Very Nice. 9/10!

Spy Golden Eye

A new cider from Spy Cider House and Distillery in Blue Mountain, Ontario. A very light bouquet with a light champagne colour. The taste is light and refreshing with a taste similar to Strongbow but a little lighter, more tart and slightly drier — which I like. My new favorite. 9/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They also make an Eau de Vie, a clear apple brandy.