James Finch (aka the Cider Critic) wins prestigious CAMRA Pomona Award

The award recognises those who have made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry

James Finch, otherwise known as the Cider Critic on social media, has been recognised by CAMRA’s prestigious Pomona Award for his fantastic promotion of real cider and perry.

Named after the Goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards, the Pomona Award is presented by CAMRA to a person, group, organisation, idea or concept that has made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.

James is one of the original founding cider critics, having started his cider journey back in 2012. Not only does he produce his own blog The Cider Critic, but he also helped Craft Nectar’s blog become the number one cider blog in the world in 2018. In early 2021 he joined fellow cider writer Adam Well to launch www.cider-review.com , and together they have produced more than 200 reviews and articles and have mentored a new generation of contributing writers about cider and perry.

James is also a prolific YouTuber, having launched “Fine Cider Friday” videos on his The Cider Critic YouTube Channel in 2019. Today he runs many Instagram Live events and has a significant social media presence as the Cider Critic. He has also developed a number of cider-focused content for CAMRA’s Learn & Discover platform, including:

• An introduction to tasting cider – https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/the-basics/introduction-to-tasting-cider/
• A beginner’s guide to cider terminology – https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/the-basics/a-beginners-guide-to-cider-terminology/

• An enthusiast’s guide to cider terminology (member only) – https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/learn-more/learn-more-about-cider/a-enthusiasts-guide-to-cider-terminology/

Andrea Briers, who oversees CAMRA’s Pomona Award said: “It is a real pleasure to recognise the fantastic work that James has undertaken with CAMRA’s Pomona Award. James has been a strong advocate for traditional British cider and perry for the better part of the last decade. He has had an enormous impact on sharing news, information and his passion for the beverage among his followers – making a significant contribution to the world of cider and perry.”

Finch adds: “it is an absolute honour and a complete surprise to receive the Pomona Award from CAMRA, a huge thanks to all those that nominated me. I have had the opportunity to work with CAMRA a number of times on their work to champion British cider and perry and it has been a tremendous privilege. This award represents more than just my work though as now more than ever it is a wide collective effort to champion and support real cider and perry.  I am grateful to all those I have had the opportunity to work with and write about, without whom I wouldn’t be receiving this award.”

James Finch will be presented with the award on Saturday 22 October 2022 at the Grantham Beer Festival. For more information, contact press@camra.org.uk