Summer Party Cider

Now that we’re getting into the summer months we thought it was time for a party case! With the long evenings upon us, we’ve put together a selection that is perfect for a BBQ or picnic. We’ve picked six crowd-pleasers that will appeal to the casual cider drinker or the connoisseur alike.

All of the ciders are easy drinking and accessible but we’ve split them into two different types: First we’ve got three lower alcohol ciders so you can pace yourself on a long summer’s day – and then we’ve got three 6% ciders for when you don’t have to get up in the morning!

Saxby’s 3.9 (3.9%) Northamptonshire

Saxby’s are a new producer to us. They first came onto our radar when we tried their Rhubarb cider for our proper fruit cider case. They are one of the few producers making fruit cider from proper fruit juice and all of their cider is made from a blend of traditional cider varieties grown on their Northamptonshire farm or ‘imported’ from Herefordshire.

Hunt’s Misty Maid (4.2%) Devon

Another new addition to our stable – although not to the world of cider. Hunts have been making cider on their family farm in South Devon since 1805! This is a medium-sweet cloudy cider which is made for drinking on a summer’s day.

Rich’s Golden Harvest (4.5%) Somerset

This is an old favourite – it was one of the most popular ciders in the shop and a perennial favourite for summertime drinks by the harbourside. It manages to achieve all the character of a West Country cider while being a very manageable session strength.

Burrow Hill Cider Bus (6%) Somerset

We couldn’t put together a summer party case without including this! Famously served on the legendary Somerset Cider Bus, this is great cider and gallons of it are consumed every June at the most famous of all Somerset events - Glastonbury Festival.

Worley’s Rocky Road (6.4%) Somerset

An easy-going medium cider with a balanced tannin content. Made from a raft of late-season bittersweet apple varieties, which are blended to make the most of the strengths of each apple. The most popular cider on Worleys event bars where it outsells everything else by a country mile!

Bridge Farm Artisan Cider (6.5%) Somerset

We wanted to include a Bridge Farm cider, partly because it’s great cider and partly because Nigel Stewart presented a bottle of his cider to the Queen for her last jubilee! This is a proper good cider – full-bodied, full-flavoured and well balanced – everything a West Country cider should be.