Opening a new cider tap deserves a celebration so Dunham Press is to revive its annual Party at the Orchards after a year's break.

The Apple Barn tap opened on 17 July with a visit from Trafford and Hulme CAMRA members (pictured). Set opposite the cider barn and surrounded by the orchards at Boundary Farm, the Apple Barn is another addition to the growth of cider tourism in the North.

Here you can sample, not only Dunham Press’ own range of ciders and perries, but also a selection of the best bottles from other makers countrywide, alongside local beers plus coffee and cakes.

Chief cider maker Chris Hewitt (an active CAMRA member) and partner Alison (a Cider Women member) have worked to perfect the tap. Chris said: “Here at Dunham we are proud to produce some of the North’s best cider and perry, all grown from our restored orchards on the National Trust estate at Dunham Massey.

“We are passionate about our heritage and longstanding stewardship of land that has sustained orchards for more than 200 years. We grow traditional cider varieties and produce solely from our own orchards. By carefully selecting varieties that thrive on a northern terroir, we have developed a northern cider taste profile”.

To celebrate the new tap Dunham will be launching a traditional method, naturally sparkling perry made from three pear varieties from three seasons. Holy Trinity will premier at a fringe tasting event at this year's Bristol Cider Salon.

• The Apple Barn: Fridays 3-9pm, Saturdays 10.30-9pm and Sundays 10.30-6pm https://www.facebook.com/dunhampresscider
• Party at the Orchards: Saturday 21 August from noon, a cask and keg beer bar, lots of cider, street food and music plus family entertainments. Dunham Cider Press, Boundary Farm, Sawpit Street, Altrincham WA14 5SJ https://w3w.co/producers.melt.enchanted  https://www.dunhamcider.co.uk/
• Cider Salon special featuring Northern and Somerset Ciders, Thursday 12 August. The event can be enjoyed in person in Bristol and online with tickets available at http://www.cidersalon.co.uk/event/2021/manchester-x-bristol
• The CAMRA Learn and Discover Cider Tourism Map now lists nearly 80 orchards, producers and  taps to visit. With the Apple Barn added, eight of them are in the North. https://camra.org.uk/learn-discover/the-basics/cider-tourism/

 

Photo: John O’Donnell, Trafford and Hulme CAMRA