perry

Knowledgeable cider-drinking folk aren’t just limited to rural patches of Somerset and Kent these days - they’re in the capital city and they’ve got serious thirsts to be met. Thankfully, help is at hand.

Providing London’s cider enthusiasts with a place to drink is The Euston Cider Tap in King’s Cross, just opened by the beer enthusiasts behind The Euston Tap. Sitting across the road from its barley-loving brother, The Euston Cider Tap gives a small nod to cider's rural beginnings in the form of some casual hay bale seating outside the stone lodge, while inside it’s more bar stool chic.

Devon stole back the National Cider & Perry Pub of the Year crown with the news that perennial favourite, Ye Olde Cider Bar in Newton Abbot, had won the title. This makes it two top accolades in a row, since owner Richard Knibbs received CAMRA's Pomona Award in 2010, given to an individual or organisation for their exceptional work championing real cider and perry.

Rather like today's rain, my past couple of weeks have been overflowing with British cider: cloudy, clear, Kentish and Cornish, I’ve tasted it all.

If visitor numbers at the annual Welsh Perry and Cider Championships last bank holiday weekend (28 May) are anything to go by, it seems that craft cider is finally getting the widespread love and attention it deserves. Visitor numbers were sky high at almost 2000 – that’s a whole 500 more than last year.