A Harrogate craft beer bar has been named Pub of the Year not for its real ale — but for its real cider.
Major Tom’s Social in The Ginnel was awarded the title by the local branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) due to the quality of the cider it serves.
CAMRA said in a press release that although cider, made from apples, and perry, made from pears, are usually associated with south-west England there are a number of excellent Yorkshire producers, for example in Masham, Thornborough, and Husthwaite.
Lauren Wray, assistant general manager at Major Tom’s Social, said:
“We’re really pleased to receive this award. It’s quite an honour, and it’s a nice asset to the bar.
“We’ve only started focusing more on cider over the last year or two, but it sells really well. We’re obviously best known for our beer, so it was quite a surprise to get an award for our cider.”
According to CAMRA’s definition, real cider is fermented from the whole juice of fresh pressed apples – or pears in the case of perry.
It precludes the common practice of using concentrate or diluted juices to boost strength through the addition of sugar to an unnatural level for storage, before then diluting it with water to the desired alcohol content for sale.
Alan Gould, chairman of the Harrogate and Ripon branch of CAMRA, said:
“CAMRA campaigns for a high quality of materials and production methods, whether that’s in beer, cider or perry.
“Major Tom’s sell real cider, and that’s really not very common. They keep it in the right condition and get it from the right sources – small scale, artisanal producers who make craft cider well.”
Read more:
- Harrogate pub wins CAMRA award after one year of opening
- ‘Intimate gem’ Knaresborough pub wins rare award for beer quality
- Beer festival season starts with three-day Henshaws event
Harrogate charity beer festival to return in March
The Harrogate and District RoundTable Charity Beer Festival will return to the town’s Crown Hotel on March 11 and 12.
The 32nd edition of the festival will offer over 40 cask ales and 10 keg beers as well as ciders, wine, Prosecco and gin.
The festival has raised over £500,000 for local charities since it began in 1990. This year it will be supporting Samaritans and Martin House Hospice.
The event was cancelled last year due to covid.
Posting on its Facebook page, Harrogate RoundTable said:
“Let’s band together, say “Cheers!” and support our community.”
If you’re interested in tickets and wristbands for the festival, visit its website.
The RoundTable is an association of men between the ages of 18 and 45 that supports local causes.
Read more: