Cider festival coming to Bristol this summer
The Cider Salon Bristol will comprise a weekend of talks, tastings and dinners in collaboration with independent venues across the city from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June.
The main event,the Cider Salon itself, is a US-inspired tasting session to take place at the Old Market Assembly on the afternoon of Saturday 23rd June, with 20 producers pouring a total of 60 speciality ciders.
The festival will offer attendees the opportunity to try some of the most carefully crafted bottled ciders from the UK and the USA, as well as the chance to discover more about a range of traditional drinks and finely-honed techniques, such as methode traditionelle, pet nat, keeving, perry, pommeau and ice & fire ciders.
Award-winning cider makers
Cider Salon Bristol is the brainchild of two multi-award winning cider makers – Tom Oliver from Oliver’s Cider in Ocle Pychard, Herefordshire, and Martin Berkeley from Pilton Cider, Somerset.
Inspired by Cider Salon events in the US and motivated by a concern over the lack of aspiration in the UK cider category, this duo have taken it upon themselves to demonstrate just how fabulous cider can be.
“Cider is a misunderstood drink”, said Berkeley. “Many people have preconceptions about what cider is, based upon bad experiences as a youth or what is available in the supermarkets. But the fact is, cider can be so much better.
“When using time, care and specific techniques, cider can demonstrate all of the quality and finesse of any wine.”
UK cider capital
In addition to the main event, there will be a number of fringe events at some of Bristol’s best loved food and drink venues, such as Birch, Dela, Bristol Cider Shop and Avery Wine Cellars. Some events over the weekend are ticketed, but a number are also free.
“Bristol is the natural place to host such an event, given that it is the UK’s cider capital”, added Tom Oliver. “At the Cider Salon, we believe that locals and visitors alike will enjoy one of the finest showcases of cider that the UK has ever seen - and we can’t wait!”
Emerging trends, influences from the US and the impact of canning are all subjects that will be discussed at The Morning Advertiser's Cider Summit this summer, also taking place on 22 June at the Stable in Bristol.
Organised by Ciderologist Gabe Cook, the event will feature talks from some of the leading figures in the cider category.
For more information about the event and how to book, contact Stevie Robinson by email at stevie.Robinson@wrbm.com or by phone on 01293 846508.
