Rull Orchard Wins Sandford Orchards' Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards 2025 With Autumn Unwrapped Perry

Sandford Orchards has just announced that Rull Orchard has won their 2025 Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards with their Autumn Unwrapped Perry (5.5% ABV). 

These unique awards, which offer aspiring cider makers the chance to win an invaluable package of vouchers, guidance and guaranteed listings in the on and off trade, are designed to support the future of cider in the UK.   

Claire Daniels from Rull Orchard told That's Food and Drink: “We're really over the moon to receive this award! It's wonderful to have our natural, full juice perry recognised by a panel of such acclaimed judges, and it's very exciting to be part of a growing appreciation for sustainably produced drinks that reflect our passion for nature and biodiversity. We're very much looking forward to collaborating with Barny and our future journey in creating and promoting cider and perry.”

Barny Butterfield, MD of Sandford Orchards and founder of the awards explains: "Rull Orchard is a worthy winner of these awards. Their Autumn Unwrapped Perry is technically sensational. Every judge on the day wished they could make a perry of this quality. If you are looking for flavour, character and style, you simply will not believe what Rull has landed here.”

Silvers were awarded to Canterbury Cider for its Celebration Cider (ABV 6%) and to Tippetts Cider for its Crow Cider (ABV 4.8%). The judges described Celebration Cider as a wonderful introduction to cider for the curious; brilliantly approachable, very smooth and well made. They felt that Crow Cider was a rich, easy drinking, balanced cider with delightful tannins and baked apple flavours.

The Breakthrough Cider Maker Award entrants were judged by industry experts including Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist, Tom Oliver, from Oliver's Cider and Perry and Mary Topp from New Forest Cider and The London Cider House.

Gabe Cook says: “I was particularly delighted it was a Perry that sealed the win for Rull. Clearly they are relishing blending their drinks and are determined to share the joy of cider and perry, far and wide. What an honour it was to taste through a wonderful selection of ciders and perries.”

Tom Oliver adds: “This was my favourite and hardest Breakthrough Cider Awards judging! The standard of liquids, packaging and storytelling was compelling from several makers. But in the end the result was unanimous. The perry was one of the finest anyone at the table had tasted in a long time and Rull Orchard's passion shined through their application.”

Mary Topp finishes: "I'm delighted by the success of all the winners in this year's Breakthrough Awards. The distinct regional flavours showcased by Tippetts and Canterbury's Silver awards were excellent examples of how English cider has evolved, proving there's truly a cider out there for every palate. For The London Cider House, involvement with the Breakthrough Awards is incredibly important. We're so proud to support initiatives that champion future leaders in cider."

Rull Orchard will receive a prize package that includes a £500 Vigo voucher, a £250 Murphy & Son voucher, a listing at their local Stable Pizza, a listing at The London Cider House, a Sandford Orchards collaboration limited edition cider and a visit by Sandford Orchards' cider makers to offer practical help and advice about set up. The two runners up will both receive a £200 voucher from Bag In Box Shop UK plus a £100 voucher from Murphy & Son. All three winners will receive a 12 month listing at Darts Farm, Devon and a 12 month listing on www.sandfordorchards.co.uk.

The Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards were launched by Sandford Orchards at the end of 2019 and aim to recognise and celebrate excellent quality whole juice ciders from around the UK. Sandford Orchards would like to thank Gabe Cook, Tom Oliver and Mary Topp for judging and Vigo, Murphy & Son, The Bag In Box Shop, The Stable, The London Cider House and Darts Farm for their support and prize donations.

To celebrate the awards, Sandford Orchards has created a fantastic Breakthrough Cider Maker Taster Case containing all the winning ciders, which is available from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, RRP £35.00.

For further information on the Sandford Orchards Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/cider-awards or follow Sandford Orchards on Twitter, Facebook and  Instagram.

Brum! Brum! The Great British Beer Festival returns for 2025 and will be hosted at a brand-new location

Hailed as the UK’s most popular beer festival and hosted by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), it takes place this year for the first time at Birmingham’s iconic National Exhibition Centre (NEC) from 5 to 9 August.

Leaving the UK’s capital city after a successful 34-year stint in London, the festival’s new location makes it even easier for festival goers to raise a glass and explore the many drinks on offer.

CAMRA has been running beer festivals on this scale for 50 years, with the first four-day event taking place in 1975 at Covent Garden. 

The first Great British Beer Festival was held back in 1977 at Alexandra Palace. 

With tens of thousands planning to attend, the festival – which is part of CAMRA’s mission to bring together beer-lovers – will feature in excess of 500 cask and other beers, a dedicated cider and perry bar, ‘no and low’, wine and cocktails - catering for everyone. 

These are provided from renowned UK and international breweries including St Austell Brewery, Brains Brewery, Green Duck Beer Co, Harvey’s Brewery, Greene King, Siren and Thornbridge, as well as Birmingham-based Attic Brew Co.

Campaigning since 1971, CAMRA has been the leading light in ensuring quality cask beer, cider and perry can be enjoyed in pubs across the UK, while celebrating pubs, pints and people.

Alongside its famous selection of pints, attendees will also be able to enjoy a selection of food and snacks, as well as a variety of entertainment including live music in the afternoons and evenings.

And the winner of CAMRA’s much-coveted Champion Beer of Britain competition will be unveiled at the festival, with the winning beers available at the event.

Beer and pub lovers can also join the campaign, getting involved in CAMRA’s vital work, aimed at protecting pubs, protecting pints and championing people. There is also the chance to meet brewers at the Discovery bar, learning more about beer.

For non-beer drinkers, a wide array of ‘low and no’ alcohol drinks will be on offer, along with hot and cold drinks meaning there’s something for the whole group — or the designated drivers.

Adam Gent, CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival Organiser, told That's Food and Drink: “At CAMRA, we’re proud to stand for beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK. 

"We know that pubs are a vital social centre for many and are passionate about promoting real, good-quality beer, cider and perry."

Adam went on to say: “The Great British Beer Festival is a fantastic way to bring people together and has played a leading role for more than half a century in our successful campaigning to protect our pubs and champion cask beer.

“Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just curious to try something new — we’ll have more than 500 drinks across a range of styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find something you love. And after a year off, we’re delighted to be bringing the festival back bigger and better than ever at the iconic NEC in Birmingham, so let's raise a glass!”

To secure your tickets to the Great British Beer Festival and stay up to date with future events and campaigns from CAMRA, visit: www.camra.org.uk

Exciting News for Perry Lovers! Sandford Orchards Launches New Limited Edition Perry

Devonshire's Sandford Orchards is pleased to be able to announce the launch of its new limited edition 2024 Vintage Perry (ABV 7.5%) which will be available in 750ml bottles from Sandford Orchards and select retailers as well as to guests at the exclusive Deer Park Country House, Weston. 

Says Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “I planted a small perry orchard on a friend's farm 15 years ago and completely forgot about it. 

"This autumn Tom picked up the phone and asked what we were going to do with all these pears? Nothing for a decade and a half - then a trailer load!  As with cider apples, perry pears are grown only for the amazing drink they produce - they are essentially inedible. 

"But if you do the job well, the results are sublime. Perry is traditionally naturally sweeter than cider, and this bottling is wonderfully rich, aromatic and delicious. I put these pears together with those grown with some more friends of ours at the sublime Deer Park country house - we help manage their gorgeous orchard, including some rows of Brandy and Blakeney Red perry pears.”

Barny continues: “Perry pears are trickier customers than predictable cider apples, a pear ripens from the centre so harvest timing is even more critical, and pressing must be very gentle and careful. We've made small batch perries over the years, but this is easily the one we are most proud of. We are delighted with the results of our efforts and hoping that our customers will love it too. 

"It's lighter and more aromatic than our session ciders and much more akin to our fine Katjas. At 7.5% ABV, it's not designed to be glugged by the pint, but enjoyed in place of a glass of wine. ”

Sandford Orchards 2024 Vintage Perry (ABV 7.5%, 750ml bottles, RRP £7.00) is crafted from Blakeney Red, Green Horse, Brandy and Gin pears. It is a delicate floral perry that is crisp, fragrant and fresh with ripe pear, citrus acidity and a subtle tropical nose. It pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, creamy pasta or grilled fish.

www.sandfordorchards.co.uk