Cider fans urged to jump on the bus for weekend of appley delights
CIDER fans are urged to jump on the bus to make the most of a weekend of appley offerings in Newcastle.
And as Chris Palmer explains, buying a ticket to ride might just help you find something out of the norm.
“The “cider bus” rolls firmly into town this week with the opening of the annual Tyneside & Northumberland Camra Newcastle Beer & Cider Festival, a smaller festival at the campaign’s former regional cider pub of the year, the Cumberland Arms in Byker, and a number of pubs across the city putting cider on the bar.
“The 37th Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival opens to the public at 6pm on Wednesday April 10 and runs until late Saturday. With an offering of 37 ciders, 11 perries and one pyder (a refreshing blend of cider and perry) the stars of the show are the Rosquijeau Cider from Brittany in France and for the first time a local producer, The Bourbon Cider Company, from West Allotment, near North Shields.
“The Cumberland Arms is an old fashioned pub and has been awarded Camra’s Regional Cider Pub of the Year three times.
“Their Spring Fest kicks off on Friday at 3pm with a selection of ciders from well outside the norm. Expect their 15 offerings to include Marshwood Vale, Solway, Brislington, Greyfields Farm, Ham Hill, Blackmore Vale, Twin Farms (Rogers) and Worleys.
“The Cumberland is in the Ouseburn Valley and can easily be reached by the Q2 bus service from Haymarket, Stagecoach services 12, 22, 39, 40, 62 or 63 from the City Centre.
“Also in the Ouseburn Valley is the renowned Head of Steam’s Cluny, which has three Westons ciders, The Tyne Bar, which offers Blaengawney Blindfold, and the current Tyneside Cider Pub of the Year, The Free Trade Inn, offering eight ciders including the likes of Dorset Nectar, Brislington, Greyfields Farm and Marshwood Vale.
“Central Newcastle also has plenty to choose from with The Pacific Bar serving Gwynt Y Ddraig, Lady Greys offering Richs and Marshwood Vale, Bacchus stocking Thistly Cross, the Duke of Wellington Westons, the Head of Steam Orchard Pig, and Centurion Bar Thatchers.
“All in all things are looking up for Britain’s oldest drink.”