Real Cider and Perry FAQ’s

The databases for real cider, and fruit and flavoured producers are not intended as a list of every real product in the UK. Many producers – particularly larger, national brands – produce one ‘real’ product as a premium version of their usual cider but this would not qualify them for inclusion in the list. The producer database is intended to show producers who only make real products.

Fruit ciders are sometimes more likely to be made from concentrated juices or flavourings. This means that some producers make real cider or perry, but their fruit and flavoured products don’t meet our definition of real. As such, they might be only included in the real cider category, despite having a wider product range.

Many of the most widely available brands of cider and perry do not meet the CAMRA definition of ‘real’. This includes products like Bulmers, Westons, Thatchers, and Magners – which are either made from concentrated juice or chaptalised. However, the list of producers is constantly being updated. If you think we’ve missed your favourite, please get in touch at cider@camra.org.uk so we can amend the list!

Not necessarily! Cloudy ciders and perries can still be made from concentrate or chaptalised, and therefore wouldn’t meet our definition of real. The best way to check if a product is real is to check the resources on this page, or look for the words ‘Not from concentrate’ on the label.

Cider and perry is sometimes pasteurised to remove live yeast from a drink, prevent refermentation, and extend the life of the product. Passteurising does not effect whether a cider or perry is real, although live, unpasteurised products are considered best practice.

Not necessarily! CAMRA considers pure juice products to be best practice, but if the juice is from concentrate or the cider or perry has been chaptalised, it wouldn’t meet our definition of real. The best way to check if a product is real is to check the resources on this page, or look for the words ‘Not from concentrate’ on the label.