This page was first published in 2008 on our legacy website.
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and all the articles under the ‘Cider’ menu dropdown.

There are not many pubs which serve real cider and perry on a regular basis in the North Herts branch area. But we are better off than many, according to the people compiling the new edition of CAMRA’s Good Cider Guide, and over time the number is growing. The power of TV and the fizz from Ireland (M**ners) has increased the popularity of all types of cider, so if your local doesn’t stock it get them to look into it. Many suppliers now provide their products in 20 litre bag-in-boxes which have a shelf life of 3 months so it’s unlikely to go off before it’s all sold. There are adaptors available to connect the tap to a handpump so the box can be stored in the cellar.

We always have a selection of cider and perry at our two beer and cider festivals in Hitchin and Stevenage, and most other CAMRA-run festivals do too.

These pubs in the branch area usually have at least one real cider or a perry available.

• Our Mutual Friend, Stevenage
• The Catherine Wheel, Albury
• The Chequers, Stevenage Old Town
• The Chequers, Woolmer Green
• The Garden City Brewery, Letchworth Garden City
• The Half Moon, Hitchin
• The Lordship Arms, Benington
• The Lytton Arms, Old Knebworth
• The Nightingale, HitchinThe Orange Tree, Baldock
• The Red Lion, Preston
• The Standing Order, Stevenage
• The Strathmore Arms, St. Paul’s Walden
• The Tally Ho, Barkway

Not surprisingly most of these pubs are known for good beer as well. So, if you like real cider go and live in the south end of Hitchin, most of these are not far away. Outside the branch try these:

• The Tudor Oaks, Astwick (on the A1 north of Baldock)
• The Queens Head, Allens Green (near Sawbridgeworth)
• The Old Cross Tavern, Hertford
• The Old Barge, Hertford
• The Half Moon, Bishop’s Stortford
• The Engineers Arms, Henlow

Guess what, these do good beer too. There is clearly a correlation between cider and good beer.

A Selection of Beer Agents/Cider Makers/Breweries who carry and will deliver cider/perry is included below. While these are all correct at the time of writing

Beer Agents

Beer Seller
Phone: 01963 32255
Westons, Bulmers, Thatchers, Matthew Clark; Delivery whole of the UK

East-West Ales
Phone: 01892 834040
Thatchers (inc. Moles Black Rat), Biddenden; Delivery all of England

Small Beer
Phone: 01522 540431
Westons, Biddenden, Thatchers (inc. Moles Black Rat), Broadoak, Bulmers, Reedcutter; Delivery mainly East Midlands, & up as far North as Newcastle

Cider Makers

Millwhites, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Phone: 01749 860846
Medium Scrumpy, Organic Single Orchard, Rum Cask, Whisky Cask, Stembridge Cluster, Harry Masters Jersey, Apples and Pears & Yarlington Mill

Apple Cottage Cider, Baldock, Hertfordshire
Phone: 01462 893033 or 07549 003255
Email: applecottage@btconnect.com

Biddenden Cider, Kent
Phone: 01580 291 726
Biddenden dry or medium both 8% or Bushells Cider 6%; Delivery South East, Kent, East Sussex, London. Supplied in 2 gallons/5 gallons/ or 9 gallon containers.

Westons Cider, Hereford
Phone: 01531 660100
Old Rosie, Traditional Scrumpy, 1st Quality, GWR, Bounds Brand Perry; Will deliver own products Nationwide.

Breweries

Crouch Vale
Phone: 01245 322 744
Eight to twelve products on their list which changes. Delivery Essex; South Suffolk, East & Central London.

Church End Brewery
Phone: 01827 713080
Carries a selection of cider/perry which can be delivered on the back of a beer order. Delivery Central England plus Somerset & parts of Yorkshire. Ring to discuss requirements.

Wholesalers who carry bottles to the trade:-

Dayla
Phone: 01296 420 261
Thatchers, Westons, & Bulmers, bottles & polycasks. Delivery Thames Valley & Home Counties.

Infinity Wholefoods
Phone: 01273 424 060
Dunkertons & Westons. Delivery Sussex & the South, but can arrange delivery Nationally.

Rainbow Wholefoods
Phone: 01603 630 484
Organic only:- Crones, & Dunkertons bottles only. Trade deliveries to East Anglia only. Also has a shop open to the public in Norwich City Centre.

Suma Wholefoods
Phone: 01422 313 840
Thatchers, Weston’s & Dunkertons. Delivery Countrywide.

More information on cider and perry can be found on these websites.

ukcider

The new Real Cider and Perry page

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