Love of real cider and perry blossoms this May

Photo by Amelia Claudia

CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – celebrates the first of this year’s biannual Cider & Perry Months with the highest ever number of accredited producers listed in its interactive online directory.

Cider & Perry Month celebrations are held by CAMRA in May and October, with May being chosen as it is the month when orchards blossom and fruits begin to develop. Cider and perry produce from the previous year reaches maturity in May and can start being enjoyed, so it’s also a time to celebrate the fruits of cider makers’ labour.

Fruit is not the only thing that’s growing this May, with the number of producers making real cider and perry also on the rise. Over 440 makers can now be found at https://producers.camra.org.uk/ so lovers of cider and perry, and those who want to try something new, are encouraged to find and support their local producers.

The month will be packed with events, tastings, exclusive offers, and the best in new content from CAMRA’s Learn & Discover platform as well as expert picks of content from CAMRA’s campaigning partners. The month also gives consumers the chance to make their nominations for the Pomona Award, which honours outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.

Highlights will include CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year 2022 Gabe Cook, who won for his work to increase the profile of real cider, delivering the latest of his ‘World of Cider’ series with a visit to Hardanger, Norway.

Closer to home, publication of a Guide to Sparkling Cider, from writer Rachel Hendry will be invaluable as the weather gets warmer and consumers look for a refreshing summer tipple, along with Alison Taffs’ piece on Cider and Cheese.

The very best cider and perry events of the season can be found on the CAMRA events platform and across CAMRA social media, where consumers can look out for campaigning updates too.

CAMRA’s Real Ale, Cider, and Perry Campaigns Director, Gillian Hough said:

“This is such an exciting time for lovers of real cider and perry and there is so much to enjoy during May’s Cider and Perry Month.

“This is the perfect time to enjoy products from local cider makers, plan a day trip to see blossom at a local orchard, or just head to your local for a drop of tasty cider or perry. I encourage everyone to raise a glass this May and sample the best of what makers have to offer. Wassail!”

Ends

Notes to editors:

CAMRA’s Learn & Discover platform contains content exclusive to CAMRA members. To access member-only content, CAMRA members simply need to sign in at the top of the webpage with their membership number and password. To discover all Learn & Discover content, visit https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/

To nominate someone for the Pomona Award, simply fill out the online nomination form at: http://www.camra.org.uk/pomona-award

Non-members can join the campaign for just £28.50 a year. A CAMRA membership helps CAMRA’s campaigning efforts to save pubs during this challenging time. You can join by visiting join.camra.org.uk