CAMRA National Cider and Perry Month, October 2011
Ye Olde Cider Bar 'one of last surviving cider houses'
National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2011 winner- Ye Olde Cider Bar, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2LD, 01626 354221
Presentation- Friday September 30th 2011, 1:30pm, at Ye Olde Cider Bar, all media welcome, with photo and interview opportunities available
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today announced that Ye Olde Cider Bar, Newton Abbot, has been judged as its National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2011 after a year of local and regional judging rounds. The news comes at a time when CAMRA is due to kick off its National Cider and Perry Month celebrations during the month of October.
Owned by licensee Richard Knibbs, winner of last year's CAMRA Pomona Award*, Ye Olde Cider Bar is recognised as one of only a handful of cider houses remaining in Britain and was previously owned by a series of cider making families. Ran by Mr Knibbs since the early 1970's, the pub serves 20-25 real ciders and perries at any one time, having never held a licence to sell beer or spirits. Regular ciders and perries on the bar come from the likes of Winkleigh, Thatchers, and Broadoak.
Although the competition was strong this year in finding Britain's best cider pub, CAMRA judges noted how Ye Olde Cider Bar's friendly and knowledgeable staff, formidable cider heritage and impressive range of produce shone out over the other 3 National finalists, who were-
- Royal Oak, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8DF
- Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 3BY
- The Lifeboat, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EU
Richard Knibbs, Ye Olde Cider Bar licensee, said:
'I'm absolutely blown away, and had no idea I'd won it. It came as a real shock, but I'm delighted, and it all comes down to the hard work, enthusiasm and knowledge of our pub staff.'
Sarah Newson, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee Vice Chairman and one of the final judges was full of praise for the winning pub. She said:
'I felt that the bar showcased some of the best cider that Devon has to offer, which was served by friendly and knowledgeable staff who went out of their way to find a cider that the customer was happy with. All this, combined with the wonderful, very rare example of a traditional cider house setting which harks back to a bygone era, but which is welcoming to all ages and both locals and visitors alike, made this a truly deserving winner.'
The presentation to Ye Olde Cider Bar as the National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2011 winner will take place at the pub on Friday September 30th 2011 at 1:30pm. Members of the press are welcome, with photo and interview opportunities available throughout the afternoon. For more information please contact the CAMRA press office on 01727 798443.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
National Cider and Perry Month takes place in October each year to celebrate the production, history and skill associated with real cider and perry production. For more information on the Month, or to find an event near you, please visit www.camra.org.uk/cidermonth
- Real cider is a long-established traditional drink which is produced naturally from apples and is neither carbonated nor pasteurised. As cider is made from apples, perry is made from pears.
- As the fruit ripens throughout September and October, it is milled and pressed. The juice is then left to ferment and mature until early spring when it is ready to drink.
For further information:
CAMRA Press Office, 01727 798443
Ye Olde Cider Bar, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2LD, 01626 354221
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Cider & Perry Committee Chairman, 07732 754888
Sarah Newson, CAMRA Cider & Perry Committee Chairman (Yorkshire), 07769660454
Ian Packham, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee (South West), 07887 876753
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