|
Cider & Perry Strike
Again!
From: InnSpire - Issue 58 – December 2005
I am pleased to report on
another successful October Cider & Perry campaign by our Branch.
 The
first trip to support our participating pubs took place on Saturday 15th
October and needed a full to the brim 29-seater bus. It started at the Derby
Tup and I was pleased to see people arriving in plenty of time to try what
was on offer. Roy Shorrock was serving instead of drinking, standing in for
Brendan who (rightly so) had gone to the Rugby final. We had 3 ciders and a
perry to choose from - their regular Biddenden Dry is a good one.
 We
then proceeded to the Hay at Shirland. Malcolm and Janey had their work cut
out when everyone piled through the door, but managed wonderfully. They
offered 2 ciders and a perry, including the popular Moles Black Rat - which
seemed to be going down very well with some of the non-cider drinkers, too.
 Last
port of call was the Old Poets’ Corner at Ashover - a staggering 7 ciders
and 2 perries had been available, with 1 cider sold out. The locals must
love the real stuff as much as we do. I remember drinking lots of the
Hereford Perry, with Kim and Jackie prepared to pose with the Sam’s Dry.
Before we got back on the bus, 6 of our cider tasters booked a place on
the next trip they were so impressed.
 Now
that’s what I call a success! Our bus driver, Simon from TM Travel had the
cheek to give me a can of John Smith’s Smooth. Dunno what he was thinking,
but apart from that he was a star getting everyone dropped off near home and
happy.
The second trip took place on Friday 28th October, again with a full
29-seater bus. The meeting place was The Portland, not coz it was supporting
our campaign but they have had a range of ciders and perries on for some
time now. I do however need to revise what I said in the last
Innspire, as it seems that this range is not permanent and it will have
diminished as I speak … a real shame.
 Anyway,
after meeting up there and discovering the sweet Swedish ‘pear cider’ that
could also be bought from a stall in the town centre Market Festival the bus
took us to the George and Dragon at Old Brampton. This was Lindsey’s
first year with us and she didn’t disappoint offering 2 very popular ciders
that never fail to go down well. I used to be a real Broadoak Moonshine fan
but find it a little sweet these days. Mary however was in heaven!
 Our
final destination was the Boat at Cromford. I had been warned there was a
band on but they weren’t too ‘in your face’ so it was fine. The pub was very
busy though, with our 29 and a gang of 25 that piled in from a restaurant
down the road. Kev had 2 ciders on, the classic Old Rosie and Saxon Midnight
Hour that tasted like it should’ve been served hot with a mince pie.
Again Simon drove us round
and was brilliant on the home run, putting up with our singing!
So I must give a huge
thank you to:
-
Brendan & Hilary at the
Derby Tup, Malcolm & Janey at the Hay, and Kev & Debbie at the Boat for
supporting this campaign for the 3rd year running,
-
Kim & Jackie at the Old
Poets’ for supporting this campaign for the 2 Octobers since they
arrived, and
-
• Lindsey & gang at the
George and Dragon for joining our campaign.
-
• And last but not least:
a huge, huge thank you to you guys who came on the trips. Without
you there’d be no campaign, and a lot of other branches don’t have one
so that makes you all very special in my book!
More pictures can be
found at
http://www.innspire.org.uk/cider/1
and
http://www.innspire.org.uk/cider/2
(thanks to Andy).
Julie Currey
In-Cider Information
From: InnSpire - Issue 57 – October 2005
After 2 successful Cider and Perry Campaigns in our
area, during the month of October, we are pleased to
announce that it’s all go again this year. Those who
have been on the trips before have had a fab time, going
home very happy indeed.
On Saturday 15th October we will be running
our initial trip to some of the participating pubs, and
celebrate a successful month by visiting the others on
Friday 28th October.
Both trips will cost a very reasonable £4 per head. If
you want to come along contact Mick Portman (either
email
socials@chesterfieldcamra.org.uk or call 01246
277757) or any member of the committee.
Pub Profiles (in order of
appearance on our trips):-
Derby Tup at Whittington
Moor, Chesterfield
• involved in all 3 cider & perry campaigns
• last year had a perry on as well as several ciders
• has more than 1 cider on regularly
• Good Cider Guide listed
Hay at Shirland
• involved in all 3 cider & perry campaigns
• last year had a perry on as well as a cider
• had favourite cider of the 2003 campaign: New Forest Snakecatcher
• has a cider on regularly
• Good Cider Guide listed
Old Poets’ Corner at
Ashover
• involved for the 1st time in last year’s campaign, having a perry on as
well as several ciders
• has more than 1 cider and a perry on regularly
• Good Cider Guide listed
George & Dragon at Old
Brampton
• a new addition to our campaign
• has had cider on regularly this year
• Good Cider Guide listed
Boat at Cromford
• involved in all 3 cider & perry campaigns
• had favourite cider of the 2004 campaign: Moles Black Rat
• Good Cider Guide listed (occasional stockist)
Please also note that
Wetherspoon’s pubs (both Chesterfield outlets are also in the Good Cider
Guide) have recently had 3 real ciders and a perry available – which we’ve
been told is permanent - and the Rutland in Chesterfield town centre (also
listed in the Guide) still has Old Rosie on permanently.
If you want to bring back some traditional cider to sample in the comfort of
your own home, most pubs will do ‘carry-outs’. Alternatively, visit the
Chatsworth Farm Shop at Pilsley or the Archer Road Beer Stop, Sheffield
(0114 255 1356). Rumour has it that Tesco’s range is to increase because
they’re selling so much of it (hooray).
So get on the wagon (or is that off the wagon) and try the real stuff.
The experts say fruit is good for you … what is it now, 5 a day?
Marvellous!!!
The long-awaited 5th edition of CAMRA’s Good Cider Guide is on
sale from the end of October for £10.99 (£8.99 to CAMRA members). This gives
details of producers and over 500 real cider outlets.
Julie Currey
This webpage was last updated on
Sunday, 20 April 2008
|
