Real Cider in Birmingham - January 2007

Over the past couple of years, the availability of real cider in Birmingham has quite noticeably changed. In 2005, there were only two pubs regularly stocking draught real cider in the city centre, and one or two sources elsewhere in the branch area.

Cider has been enjoying a general resurgence in popularity over the past couple of years, possibly prompted in the most part by an aggressive UK marketing campaign by Magners, a commercially-produced product from Bulmers Ireland Ltd.

A side effect of this has been a growing interest from consumers in ‘traditional’ cider, as an alternative to the mass-produced cider-flavoured beverages, created from apple juice concentrate from different countries, with additives such as glucose and corn syrup.

The Wetherspoons chain responded to increasing demand by adding to their cider offerings. In the past, a real cider on draught, such as Westons Old Rosie, could occasionally be found in one or two Wetherspoons, and they continued to stock bottled Westons. Now Westons, Thatchers and Sheppys bottled cider and perry may usually be found in any Wetherspoons, and one or two of the Westons on draught may also appear.

As cider’s image has improved, and traditional cider is increasingly seen as a ‘premium’ drink, other outlets in the city have started to stock bottled traditional cider products. This is particularly encouraging, as some of these venues bring real cider more within the radar of students and other young adults, who may opt to try a quality cider instead of their usual pint of lager.

Real ale pubs within the city continue to be a mainstay of draught real cider, and although not as many pubs as may be hoped are opting to try stocking small quantities of draught real cider, the few that do manage to offer a frequently-changing range, enough to keep you occupied for an evening’s cider exploration.

Pubs currently stocking traditional cider within the Birmingham branch area

Click the link above to see a current list of outlets in Birmingham which sell cider. This file is in Adobe Acrobat ® format and will be updated periodically. Click the link below to download Adobe Reader.

Please let us know about any new cider outlets in the city by emailing  apple@birminghamcamra.org.uk

Tania McMillan © 2007

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Last modified: 03/11/07