Celebrating a Decade of Welsh Cider Celebrations

Newport, United Kingdom, May 20, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Welsh cider celebrates yet another successful year ahead with the 10th annual Welsh Perry and Cider Festival at the Clytha Arms, Abergavenny on 27-30 May 2011.

Set to see an increase in visitors and cider sales this year, the festival, organised by the Welsh Perry and Cider Society in partnership with the Clytha Arms, offers the largest selection of Welsh cider and Perry of any event.

Featuring two cider bars due to the boost of interest, the Welsh Perry and Cider Festival, which has received funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, marks the opening of the cider season. Pressed fruit from last Autumn is now ready to tempt avid cider drinkers, and with the success of apple crops last year, the season is set to see an abundance of tantalising ciders.

Over 7000 pints were sold last year to the 1500 festival goers, and with over 110 ciders and perry’s offered by over 20 Welsh producers, this year’s festival is set to tempt even the most enthusiastic of palates.

Cressida Slater, Development Officer for the Welsh Perry and Cider Society said: “This annual festival is an ever increasing success. With cider still undergoing such resurgence, it is refreshing to see so many fans returning year after year to celebrate the success of Welsh cider.

“Our line up includes a number of award winning ciders and perries including winners at this year’s Big Apple Cider and Perry trials at Putley and the Hereford International Cider Competitions. This truly is a great year for Welsh cider, which has shown tremendous improvement over the last decade.”

The festival is also host to the prestigious Welsh Cider and Perry Championships, which have been running since 2002. Every year one cider and one perry win the "overall" titles, and with last year’s winners returning this year, competition is set to be stiff. Categories include best draughts, best bottles, best newcomer and overall champions and are judged (blind) by all the entrants into the competition on the second day of the festival.

The CAMRA award-winning Clytha Arms, Nr. Abergavenny, hosts the festival every year, and offers great food for both adults and children. For those who fancy staying over, the Clytha Arms also offers tent pitches in truly picturesque surroundings.

The Welsh Perry & Cider Society, set up in 2001, is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote Welsh cider and perry (made in Wales and ideally from Welsh fruit). The organisation provides assistance to existing and potential Welsh cider makers, as well as researching and regenerating Welsh orchards; working to identify and conserve rare varieties of Welsh cider apples and perry pears.

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