British Cider Week 2023

British Cider Week

The campaign, which runs from 14 April to 23 April, will see suppliers of various sizes across the country organise events and activities such as tours, tastings and competitions.

Participating producers include: Pilton Cider, Sheppy's Cider, Weston's Cider, Thatchers Cider, Thistly Cross Cider, Ross Cider, Stones Cider, Olivers Cider and Perry, Somerset Cider Brandy, Little Pomona, Ross on Wye Cider and Greggs Pit Cider & Perry.

Martin Berkeley, founder of Pilton Cider, said:

"This is a great opportunity for retailers and distributors, pubs and bars to showcase their cider range, perhaps by teaming up with their local producers to create some great consumer activities, such as cider festivals, special cider menus, or tastings."

Mark Hopper, public affairs director of the National Association of Cider Makers, added:

"The cider industry has such a rich heritage. We have producers who span generations, as well as newer cider makers entering this exciting world for the first time.

"With such a diverse range of cider styles to explore, with our first British Cider Week we're looking to encourage consumers to delve more into cider, perhaps by purchasing a pint in their local pub or restaurant, picking up a style they haven't tried before with their weekly shop, or taking part in some of the events and activities that our producers are going to be organising throughout the week."

And since it's British Cider Week, why not take a walk to Curry Rivel's own homage to cider, Burton Pynsent Monument.

The 140 foot monument, clad in Portland Stone, was designed by Capability Brown and built by Philip Pear at a cost of £2,000 for William Pitt as a monument to Sir William Pynsent of the Pynsent Baronets

Pynsent was a highly successful businessman in the thriving Somerset cider trade. When the government of the day was considering taxing cider more heavily (10 shilling on a hogshead of cider in the 1763 Cider Bill), William Pitt the Elder came out strongly against the proposals. Sir William Pynsent was so grateful for Pitt's support that he changed his will and left the Burton Pynsent estate to Pitt. Today cider is still taxed at a lower rate than beer.

Read more:
Burton Pynsent Monument Open Day 2022
Curry Rivel Roadshow 2022
Take a Walk

Find British Cider Week events here