Welsh cidermakers celebrate as their producst are selected to go to the prestigious UK Championships in Reading next year.
The top four ciders from a selection from Wales, North-West England, and Scotland were chosen to qualify at the preliminary rounds held at the Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival in Cardiff, but Wales has swept the board. The successful ciders are:
Gwynt Y Ddraig -Black Dragon (Pontypridd)
CJ’s Cider – Surprise (Monmouthshire)
Rosie’s Triple D – Medium (Wrexham)
Seidr Dai – Raglan’s Rarest (Cardiff)
Welsh cidermaker, Andrew Gronow of Gwynt Y Ddraig said, ‘This is another competition we have won to add to our impressive range of awards. We look forward to competing in the national competition in Reading next year. ‘
The event at the CIA transforms the Capitals’ music arena into what one of the organisers describes as ‘Wales’ biggest pub’. With the event officially open and festivities well underway, the CIA is host for three days to the best of Welsh and UK real ales, ciders and perries.
Organisers of the event, The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) expect record numbers at this year’s event, the 22nd of its kind to be held, with visitors travelling from all over to taste more than 150 different ales, and 120 real ciders and perries, many from our own Welsh breweries and ciderhouses.
Due to the high numbers of entries received in the cider categories and at the UK Championships in Reading, this year has seen the preliminary rounds for Welsh, Northern England and Scottish cider entries, with the top four qualifying for the nationals in May 2011.
The Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival runs from 10-12 June. Entry is £5 per person, to include a festival glass and programme, and live music on-site. For more information visit www.gwbcf.org.uk
This article by Arfur Daley first appeared on the Brew Wales website
