Alcoholic cider is a specialty of England’s West Country. If you travel out to Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, you’ll find a variety of local ’scrumpies,’ to choose from, each one more delicious than the last. The area also has several popular mass produced ciders, which are sold worldwide.
My personal favourite of the internationally recognized English ciders is Bulmers, ‘Cider Maker to Her Majesty the Queen.’ Bulmers was started by Percy Bulmer, a man from Hereford in West England. Percy’s mother suggested that he pursue a career in food or drink, because ‘these things never go out of style.’ Along with his brother Fred, Percy built a small cider mill on 8 acres of land. Their breakthrough came when one of their doctor friends, Dr. Herbert Durham, found a yeast culture that was specific to ciders. This meant that ciders could be brewed consistently with the same amount and flavour in the fermentation of one batch to the next. Bulmers became a household name and spread to be sold around the world.
Modern Bulmers is still breaking new ground. In 2006, the company launched Bulmers Original, which ensured that cider ‘on ice’ could be served to sophisticated and discerning clientele. This created a veritable revolution in cider consumption, and today it’s seen as a refreshing alternative to beers and spirits. Tasty.
[image: slosar.com]