BarTalk

Will cider continue to be popular next year?

David Watts Kings Head Letheringsett Norfolk

I've been proven wrong about cider. I said that Magners sales would drop off after 1 September, but we're ordering just as much now as we were back in June. Dry Blackthorn on draught is continuing to do well but it appeals to cider-drinkers who are different from those who drink Magners. I think the drink will continue to do well throughout the winter and into next year.

Gary Marshall Blisland Inn Blisland Cornwall

We only sell traditional cider - we don't go in for all this Magners stuff. This year we decided to put our cider on a hand pump with a cool pipe and rotate it in the same way as we do with the real ale. We usually serve it straight from the barrel, but we have found that people tend to prefer it cooler. We serve it all year round but it is definitely more popular in the summer.

John Lusher The Bluebell Whaplode St Catherine Lincolnshire

We have sold more cider this year than we have ever sold before. We stock Strongbow Sirrus and we're just looking into stocking Magners. Three years ago we removed all of our cider draught pumps because of our concerns that they weren't selling - now we have a fridge full of bottles! Maybe next year we'll look at putting them back.

Phil Basford The Plough Manston Dorset

I think it depends on the weather - if we have a good summer next year, like the one we've just had, cider will continue to do well. Having said that, different types of cider are popular at different times of year. Our local Roses cider is popular during the summer and Thatchers is popular in autumn. We also have Bulmers over ice - it's popular with young people.