In 1988 CAMRA committed itself to campaigning for real cider & real perry as well as real ale.

The county of Somerset has long been famous for its Cider and Perry and there is an ever increasing number of producers within the county, raging from the long established Family producers like Hecks and Sheppy's to the more recent small producers like Tricky and Uncle Dicks. See our Somerset Cider and Perry Producers page for a list of producers that we are aware of. If you know of any new ones, or any that we are missing please let us know.

A map showing the locations of key Somerset Cider Producers can be downloaded in pdf format by clicking this link: Somerset Cider Map.

Our Cider & Perry contact is Steve Hawkins, click the link for contact details:- Cider and Perry.

He lives in Watchet, home to Pebbles Tavern which won the accolade of CAMRA SOUTH WEST REGION CIDER PUB of the YEAR in 2014 & 2015 and CAMRA SOMERSET BRANCH CIDER PUB of the YEAR 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018. Please send any news relating to Cider and Perry to Steve, who collates this for the branch and CAMRA Nationally. Many thanks.

Our list of pubs offering discounts on Real Ale to CAMRA Card Carrying Members also includes LocAle and pubs offering Real Cider and Perry

Click here to download it: Pubs offering LocAle and Discounts to CAMRA Members.

Somerset heritage cider-maker Roger Wilkins was featured in The Daily Telegraph on 4th October 2017 and this led him on to be interviewed on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 the next morning. See his website at http://wilkinscider.com.

CIDER NEWS

National Cider & Perry Championship 2018 Winners

CIDER

GOLD - Harry's Scrummage (Somerset)

SILVER - Whin Hill, Browns (Norfolk)

BRONZE - Orgasmic, White Jersey (Herefordshire)

PERRY

GOLD - Nempnett, Piglet's Perry (Somerset, Bristol Branch)

SILVER - Oliver's, Perry (Herefordshire)

BRONZE - Whin Hill, Perry (Norfolk)

National Cider & Perry Championship 2017 Winners

CIDER

GOLD – Countryman, Medium (Devon)

SILVER – Salt Hill, Autumn Gold (Berkshire)

BRONZE – Gwatkin's, Captain Gwatkin's Rum Cask (Herefordshire)

PERRY

GOLD – Nempnett Thrubwell, Piglet's Perry (Somerset)

SILVER - Waulkmill, Mooseheid Perry (Dumfrieshire)

BRONZE – Hartland, Perry (Gloucestershire)

National Cider & Perry Championship 2016 Winners

CIDER

Gold - Harding's 3 Peace Sweet from Cambridgeshire.

Silver - Dunkerton's Cider, Herefordshire.

Bronze - Green Valley Cider, Devon.

PERRY

Gold - Hartland's Farmhouse Perry, Gloucestershire.

Silver - Burnard’s Stray Perry, Norfolk.

Bronze - Heck’s Perry, Somerset.

Ciderthon! You may have missed it this year, but it is sure to be repeated in 2019

Although not in our region, on Sunday 29th April 2018 there was a Ciderthon with a route around Wells. The Ciderthon is a half marathon with a cider taster at every mile, where you will be earning every step of your way. In completing the Ciderthon, you will become a part of the heart of Somerset, experiencing the very best cider from the very best producers. You will be introduced to a community of people who work hard, play hard, and run damn hard too. And as a team you will do whatever it takes to get yourself, and others, to the finish line.

Become a CIDERTHONER: 13 miles 13 ciders. See https://ciderthon.com/home for full details.

Secret Orchard British Cider Championship gold medalists

NETTLECOMBE Court cider makers and childhood friends Joe Heley and Todd Studley have beaten off hundreds of entries to win a gold medal at the biggest cider competition in the world. Their company, Secret Orchard Cider, won best medium cider and reserve champion in the British Cider Championships, narrowly missing out on the Supreme Champion ‘winner of winners’ award which went to a cider from Dorset. Todd (pictured on the right) and Joe, who both grew up in Minehead, have been making cider at Nettlecombe Court for five years. Fruit from the estate is supplemented by other small local orchards and production has increased gradually each year. See full article at bottom of this page.

National Cider Pub of the Year

The Unicorn at Bayford has been voted National Cider Pub of the Year. Although in the County Somerset it is east of Wincanton in Herts of Wessex Branch, Wessex Region. Any one wishing to visit by Bus can do so via Wincanton.
Service 58 or 58A from Yeovil ( 58 is the quicker of two) to Wincanton Memorial Bus Park. Or 667 from Street and Glastonbury.
Alight walk back to main road turn right and it is less than a mile on left approx., 20min walk.
There is a bus past the door but is very infrequent only 3 a day Mon to Fri.
Full details of The Unicorn via ‘What Pub’. and Bus Services via Traveline SW.

QUANTOCK BREWERY LAUNCHES IT'S OWN CIDER

Come along and taste their very own " COPPER KNOB " Craft Cider at the Brewery Tap in Bishop's Lydeard. Made exclusively for them , this much awaited gem is a fantastic addition to their range.

Secret Orchard Farmhouse Cider from Exmoor is going from strength to strength

A small batch craft cider producer in Somerset is celebrating after releasing its best vintage to date. Secret Orchard Cider, a small-batch craft cider produced in deepest darkest Exmoor, is set to release its third vintage with a promise that it will be the biggest and best yet. Cider enthusiasts and best friends Joe Heley and Todd Studley have been perfecting their pruning, picking and pressing techniques at historic orchards on the Nettlecombe Estate since 2012. They reaped the rewards with a bumper harvest in 2015 - resulting in unprecedented quality levels and high yields. Joe said: "We have perfected our hand-crafted methods while staying true to our principles of low intervention – for example we don't use any chemicals in the orchards or add manufactured yeasts and it's is really paying off." Secret Orchard Cider is made in small batches from 100% juice, which means no concentrate or sulphites are used, as well as wild yeasts and fruit from a single harvest. Joe said the result is a complex yet refreshing taste which remains true to its Exmoor roots. Secret Orchard Cider is based on the historic Nettlecombe Estate, where ancient walled orchards are surrounded by rolling hills and where he oak trees here were specially chosen for the English fleet which defeated the Spanish Armada. The cider is made from 100% apple juice, sourced from orchards where no chemicals have been used. No concentrated syrups are used and wild yeasts provide a natural and slow fermentation. All Secret Orchard ciders are aged for close to a year to ensure proper flavour development. This year Joe and Todd have made a dry and a sweet version of their signature cider, as well as several single variety batches for the connoisseur. Todd said: "We are particularly proud of the single variety ciders, which are something really special; they are distinctive but also hugely drinkable. The 2015 harvest was said to be the best for 20 years on the Nettlecombe Estate and the other West Somerset orchards that feed into the Secret Orchard brand. As well as looking after the ancient walled orchards at Nettlecombe, Todd and Joe collect apples that would otherwise go to waste from local various orchards, giving owners cider in return. Secret Orchard Cider will also be available at a growing number of restaurants and local stores – current stockists include Pebbles Tavern in Watchet, Reeves Restaurant in Dunster, The Old Ship Aground in Minehead, and Dunster Village Shop & Deli. Source: Secret Orchard Cider and the Plymouth Herald
Steve Hawkins