Popularity of Cider even waned in the South West for large periods - I worked for a company that produced one of if not the biggest brand in the South West - Blackthorn. Sponsored Bath RU.
Found a pub in Swindon when I went to City's game there in 1969, (Over 19,000 there, following week we only had 11,000 at home to Huddersfield. How times change). Went there season after for Terry Neill's first away game, not even a full bus of fans there. Would have been more but a cock up with two people both thinking they had ordered the bus, one if whom passed away this year, meant we were stuck outside King Edward at midnight with no bus. 4 of us hitch hiked there. Headed for same pub. No scrumpy. Landlord said a few coaches of Birmingham City fans got stuck into it and ran the police ragged. He was told if he didn't stop selling it they would make life very awkward for him.
Tried a few in Bristol last time was there, and can honestly say I'm not a huge fan. Much prefer a decent beer.
It's a niche brand. It does have distribution in Tesco, but only certain stores in traditionally popular cider areas. I'm pretty sure you can order it online direct from Healeys?
Cyder is the non commercial juice and is rarely made - single pressing of vintage fruit. More suited to cottage style producers and really not something you will see on any commercial scale. Even though some will claim 'Cyder'.
These are very pleasant, especially the one with a black label. Stay over in Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds on the way to and from trips to Hampshire, Devon and Dorset. Always have some of those. Would drink it all the time if my local sold it. http://www.cotswoldciderco.com/?p=no_brainer
Yes. Didn't know that until,somrone explained it in a bar in Devon a few years back and I asked why some were spelt with an I and others with a y. They had guest ones and the regulars recommended trying the ones labelled cyder first. They had an Addlestones cloudy, very nice, and an Aspalls as trials in my local,today. TheAspalls was a pleasant drink though whether it was a cyder as the label stated is unlikely.
Got absolutely twatted on Copperhead Cider when I was 17 - totally revolting stuff. Didn't touch cider again for years until I tried some proper West Country stuff at a CAMRA Ale and Cider festival a few years back. That was really good cider but it is hard to find in general - unfortunately crap, commercial brands dominate.
You're more likely to find it in the West Country on a really small basis. I love the Cider industry - There are some really interesting companies around like Aspalls, Weston's and Healey's. They are all enjoying the boom era of Cider. Miles prefer it to beer/lager. There's also loads of history to Cider.
I used to work with Diamond White, Olde English, Blackthorn, K, Special VAT, Red C and Natch and quite a few own label ciders.
A few yaws ago me and the mrs met her mum and dad in blue bell near market place, had half a dozen pints of stowford press( think it was called that) on draft in there, went down sooo easy but by **** it had a kick , absolutly wiped me out, told her mother she had a cracking pair of tits on her and it was a good job her daughter inherited those, did not impress the in laws that day....
It wasn't that strong really,compared to many drinks nowadays,4.5%. Though we all thought the same as you did in our local when they put it on back in the 1980s, that it had a hell of an kick. Probably because 4.5 % then was stronger than most of the draft beers they sold.
