CAMRA defines real Cider or Perry as being fermented from the whole juice of fresh pressed apples or pears, without the use of concentrated or chaptalised juices, therefore not all bag in box cider is considered real. CAMRA provides a map of real cider and perry producers and can be found by following this link Real Cider and Perry Producers (camra.org.uk).
Cider in Stroud
The Stroud real cider scene has improved a little in recent years after the Chair wrote to over 50 publicans outlining the Cider Pub of the Year Award including a full definition of what real Cider is and what the judging criteria are.
The Carpenters Arms seems to have taken this fully on board wining the Stroud and the Gloucestershire Cider Pub of the year in 2023. It normally has a good selection with regular examples from Dunkerton’s, Severn & Rich’s. You can also find real cider regularly at the Old Badger (Eastington) and the Ale House (Stroud).
We would still love more pubs to get on board with this competition as Stroud still has a way to go to catch up with pubs in other sub-branch areas such as Dursley & Glos.
Local real cider producers
Currently there are no real cider producers in Stroud. The closest are:
Days Cottage Cider and Perry (Gloucestershire, GL4 0UT)
http://dayscottage.co.uk/
Dunkertons Cider Company (Gloucestershire, GL52 6UT)
https://www.dunkertonscider.co.uk/
Orchard Revival Cider (Gloucestershire, GL11 6DL)
https://orchardrevival.co.uk/