Celebrate Cider Month on CAMRA’s Learn & Discover platform 

The UK’s cider industry is being celebrated throughout the month of May, and to mark it the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is sharing a range of cider and perry content on their Learn & Discover platform.

Last week, two video guides looking at the history and nuance of the cider industry were uploaded to the platform, cider-maker, author and filmmaker Bill Bradshaw, and international cider industry leader Gabe Cook – AKA the Ciderologist – respectively.

Bradshaw’s Bringing Cider to the Table Pt. 1 is the first in his three-part Cider Sessions series, highlighting how exciting British cider truly is. In this session, Bill talks to Chef Merlin Labron-Johnson, about his journey towards knowing, loving and cooking with cider, and why he believes it accompanies the food he creates so well. Visit the guide here: https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/discover/bringing-cider-to-the-table-pt-1/

Gabe Cook’s guide to cider across the world starts in Scotland. Although the Scottish cider scene may not be as well-known as those in parts of England, there are a number of cider producers across the country. The Ciderologist’s series explores both the ‘Old World’ of Western Europe, and the ‘New World’ where dessert apples are utilised to create an array of ciders, often with significant influence from the world of beer and wine. World of cider: Scotland can be found here: https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/discover/world-of-cider-scotland/

Through the month of May, the Learn & Discover platform will also be home to:

• 14 May – Tasting Kent & Eastern style ciders – Drinks educator and Learn & Discover regular Alison Taffs explores the aromas, flavours and characteristics we might expect when drinking Kent & Eastern style ciders.
• 14 May – Cider Tourism: The apples, trees and land – Some of our recommended picks of producers of cider and perry to visit. These orchards offer magnificent views, a lovely atmosphere, with a bonus of cider and perry.
• 21 May – Mixed Fermentation – This article from writer Matthew Curtis unpacks this useful bit of beer and cider terminology, and explains how and where it is most relevant in the modern beer and cider vernacular.
• 21 May – Cider Lexicon – The Ciderologist Gabe Cook introduces a cider lexicon, a technical and narrative language to give the full story of what cider is, how it is made, how it is presented to the consumer and ultimately how it is consumed.
• 28 May – Additional Fruits, flavours and spices – Gabe Cook dives into the world of the many excellent exponents of ciders made with the addition of fruits, hops, herbs and spices.
• 28 May – Knowing Cider Styles – This guide from Jane Peyton and produced by Emma Inch describes and explains the range and variety of styles of cider, including families of ciders, production methods, and formats.

Alex Metcalfe, CAMRA’s Learning & Discovery Manager, said: “Cider month is the perfect time for beginners, enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike to learn more about one of the UK’s most traditional and popular drinks. I’m elated that we can play host to so many brilliant experts and the content they’ve produced, and thank them for coming onboard and sharing their knowledge. Though we cannot celebrate in person just yet, we hope that there will be plenty for cider lovers to enjoy on the Learn & Discover platform.”

A full timeline of CAMRA’s Cider Month celebrations can be found here: https://camra.org.uk/beer-and-cider/cider/cider-and-perry-months/

CAMRA’s online learning platform is home to a wealth of new content from writers, educators and experts. New guides, articles, videos and audio content are added every week exploring everything there is to know about beer, cider, perry and pubs.

All new content includes free intros and taster sessions for non-members, so that visitors to the site can get a feel for the benefits of a CAMRA membership. To access member-only content, CAMRA members simply need to sign in at the top of the webpage with their membership number and password. Non-members can join the campaign for just £26.50*/year.

A CAMRA membership helps CAMRA’s campaigning efforts to save pubs during this difficult time. You can join by visiting join.camra.org.uk