As the gateway to the South West, Bristol and cider go arm in arm. Even so, there are only a handful of pubs in the city centre that do really good, traditional cider.
Here are five of our favourites, selling real ciders that are free from the artificial flavourings, preservatives and sweeteners you find in more commercial brands.
Just remember, though: the cloudy, powerful rocket fuels served at these bars may be authentic, but they also pack a punch that means they need to be enjoyed with caution!
The Coronation Tap
The Cori Tap (as it’s know to the locals) has an impressive array of ciders in stock, ranging from the light and fruity Happy Days, to the legend that is Exhibition cider (served in a half-pint glass for your own safety).
You'll also find an impressive range of boxed and draft ciders, and the knowledgeable staff are always willing to let you try before you buy. This Clifton pub has some of the best live music on at weekends too.
The Apple
Many a Bristolian has whiled away a sunny Saturday afternoon on Welsh Back, basking outside the Apple with a pint of cider. It’s a rite of passage, and the first port of call when showing guests around the city.
The Apple has over 40 ciders to choose from, but also stock a good range of bottled beers and lagers. Meanwhile, their food board keeps things simple with a selection of cheeses to enjoy with your cider, plus mighty ploughman's lunches with cold cuts of ham, pork pies, chutney and bread.
We suggest you try the bright orange Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley cider. Beetroot gives it the luminous colour, and its crisp, dry taste makes it the perfect summer beverage. Watch out though, overindulgence could leave a vicious sting in its wake.
The Orchard Inn
This unremarkable looking ‘olde worlde’ pub on the harbourside, near the S.S. Great Britain is certainly a local’s boozer, with boat men mixing in with younger visitors and members from the nearby yachting club.
It’s well worth a visit if you’re a cider drinker. Away from the crowds, this traditional watering hole boasts an impressive array of 23 different ciders to choose from, hand picked by Landlord Stuart Marshall.
There’s no menu, but the Orchard Inn does have a selection of cheese and ham rolls, and sometimes there will be a pork pie on hand to soak up some of that cider.
The Lazy Dog
This snug drinking den away from the noise of Gloucester Road always has an impressive seasonal range of draft ciders on tap, and the friendly bar staff are happy to let you try before you buy.
The best thing about this place is its sprawling garden, which makes it the perfect summertime spot for enjoying a pint of cool, cloudy cider. They also have a seasonal menu with a few, well chosen pub grub classics, along with more refined sharing platters and sides to nibble on as you sink your pint.
The Crofter’s Rights
Oh, the Croft, how we miss thee. But not too much because it’s replacement, the Crofter’s Rights in Stokes Croft, offer a great range of beers and, more importantly, speciality draft ciders.
The staff are extremely friendly, and knowledgeable about their wares. Needless to say, they are happy to let you try before you buy if you’re boggled by the selection.
The Crofter's Rights also has a great little dining area next door to the bar, with a pop up street food vendor available to cook you up something that will set you up for the night’s cider drinking. The vendors change on a weekly basis, so check their website to see who’ll be cooking for you.
If you like to enjoy a pint in the sunshine, here are ten popular outdoor drinking spots in Bristol.