May 2023

May 2023 Campaign

This May the Exeter & East Devon branch is encouraging pubs on our patch to find space for one local Devon cider they wouldn’t normally stock. (May is when cider and perry produced previous year reaches maturity and can start being enjoyed). We are timing it to run alongside CAMRA’s national campaign activity for Cider Month thus maximising national publicity and social media alongside our own local actions.

Aim
We want to put our branch landlords directly in contact with Devon cider makers to Encourage the sale of more of our local ciders in local pubs.

Action
All pubs in our branch area for whom we had an email address were sent an email asking them to update us with the cider they currently offer. This information was then updated on WhatPub. They were also asked if they would be interested in participating in the May Cider Month campaign. Cider makers were contacted and details verified. Landlords that expressed interest in the initiative were then sent full contact details of all Devon cider makers and the various options of purchase, bottles, keg, bag in box etc.

Ongoing activity
Pubs agreeing to stock a new Devon cider supported via website, Facebook and other social media. New window stickers, posters etc. distributed. Cider festivals listed on E&EDC website. CPOTY presentation in May at the Tom Cobley Tavern. Exe Ale magazine Ed. 95 (Spring 2023) Cider Corner #95 feature promoting the initiative. CAMRA members asking for a real Devon cider or perry and encouraging pubs to stock one.

Outcomes
We succeeded in significantly updating cider information in WhatPub. In addition, email contact details were also updated in quite a few cases.

We engaged with over 50 pubs in terms of their cider offering.

Grays cider, Chucklehead cider, Ridge and Furrow cider and Sandfords all benefited from local pubs stocking a cider they don’t normally stock.

New Cider pages were written for our website that will continue to be updated with cider producers and pubs in our area offering a real cider.

A (lost) cider producer was researched, found, contact re-established and details submitted and accepted onto the national producers list. (Palmerhayes)

Campaign overview and materials shared with CAMRA Cider Reps at North Devon and Bath Spa and Borders branches.

October 2023
Information coming shortly.

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