CAMRA calls for cider 'amnesty'

September 26, 2006: As the trend for pouring a certain well-known Irish brand of cider over ice takes a firm hold on the British public CAMRA is urging drinkers to get to know real cider - produced naturally from apples and neither pasteurised or carbonated.

The campaigning group has designated October Cider Month and will be staging a number of activities nationwide to get its message across.

Gillian Williams, CAMRA's director of cider and perry (the pear version of cider) campaigning, said: “In the early 90s large manufacturers flooded the market with cheap, high-alcohol and low-quality cider, thus ruining its reputation. Now people are starting to come back to cider, but unfortunately much of the cider available is fizzy and pasteurised.

“Real cider and perry are amazing drinks, bursting with flavour without the need for any additives. Anyone who tries a glass of real cider or perry in their local pub through October will be surprised and delighted.

"It's best to begin by using the bandings of dry, medium or sweet to work out where your tastebuds are happiest. You can then be amazed at the range of colours and overtones or notes which include citrus, floral, spicy and many others.”